BYU still 'the place' for jersey number 8
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PROVO, Utah — On the night Steve Young's football jersey was retired at BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium, he borrowed a phrase from his ancestor Brigham Young to express his emotions.
Speaking of his time at BYU, he said, "This is the place where I grew up and matured, this is the place I faced my many fears and anxieties, this is the place that I became the man that I am today and, with all due respect to my great-great-great-grandfather, this is the place for me."
Young was joined for the ceremony at midfield during halftime of the BYU-Georgia Tech football game on Thursday, Aug. 28, by his wife, Barb, son Braedon, 3, parents, LeGrande and Sherry Young, brothers Mike, Tom and Jim, and sister, Melissa. Steve and Barb Young have another son, Jackson, who was born in March. Among others on the field were Elder Cecil O. Samuelson of the Seventy and president of BYU, and athletic director Val Hale who conducted the ceremony.
The more than 60,000 fans who frenetically cheered for the great former BYU quarterback during the ceremony also greeted warmly President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
President Monson's message was: "On behalf of the board of trustees of Brigham Young University and President Gordon B. Hinckley, its chairman, I extend congratulations to Steve Young and his beautiful Barb. Long ago I read a statement declaring that what the young people of America need is less criticism and more models to follow. Steve and Barb are models to follow. Congratulations to each."
Representing Young's college and professional teammates in paying tribute was Bart Oates, Young's center at BYU and San Francisco of the NFL. And as a special treat, Young received congratulations via video on the stadium's big screen from his BYU coach, LaVell Edwards, and coach Edwards' wife, Patty. Elder and Sister Edwards are serving a mission in New York. Also played on the stadium screen at halftime was a video tribute to the 41-year-old football super-star.
Meeting the strict criteria for such an honor, Young became the first BYU football player to have his jersey retired by the school. His surname and jersey number "8" were emblazoned on a banner that was unveiled on the press box high above the stadium. Two other former Cougars — Eldon Fortie and Marion Probert — previously had their numbers retired, but not their jerseys, and will be recognized at other BYU games this season.
Young joined basketball star Danny Ainge, who had his jersey retired in the Marriott Center during the basketball season.
The day's events for Young included a pregame reception and press conference. Responding to a question, he talked to the press about one of the criteria for having a jersey retired at BYU: being a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or other religious affiliation. He said: "I grew up in Connecticut and was the only Mormon in school, so that's been well documented …. It was important to me that I represented in Greenwich, Conn., that 'strange' faith that I had, well respected in town, but a little bit different. So I kind of cut my teeth on standing out in that way. It meant a lot to me and it was important to me and I just continued that."
Young, who gained stardom in high school as an option quarterback, told the press about arriving at pass-happy BYU and starting out as eighth-string quarterback. Knowing what it would take to rise through the ranks, he said he worked hard on learning how to throw the football with power and accuracy. He finally earned a shot just before he was to be switched to defensive back and made the most of it during his stellar college and pro career. Along the way, he met the rest of the criteria for jersey retirement honors at BYU.
Given the opportunity, he became one of college football's great quarterbacks during his junior and senior seasons, 1982-83. He was a consensus All-American as a senior, winner of the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback and was runner-up for the Heisman. He also earned academic all-American honors and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Those achievements fulfilled the BYU criteria of being a first-team all-American and the recipient of a major national award.
He met the requirement to be a university graduate by earning a degree in 1983. He returned to the school and received a law degree in 1994 during his professional football career.
His meeting the criteria of significant accomplishments after BYU graduation is well documented. He began his pro career with the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League. Moving to the NFL, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1987. After tutoring under All-Pro Joe Montana, he became the 49ers' starter. Twice he was the NFL Most Valuable Player and was also the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, leading his team to a 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers. He threw a record six touchdown passes in the game. He retired as statistically the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history.
Off the field, Young's activities have also been exemplary. He established the Forever Young Foundation, which is involved in children's charities nationwide. He played a major role as manager of volunteers during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, has been appointed by President George Bush as a member of the newly formed President's Council on Service and Civic Participation and is a member of the American Indian Services.
Young's accomplishments and honors filled nearly a page in the BYU-Georgia Tech game program.
But with all the honors and recognition he has received, he said returning to receive the BYU honor is "the most personal and intimate …. I'm home."
E-mail: ghill@desnews.com
