San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 Moments in Franchise’s Super Bowl History
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Steve Young Sets the Record in Super Bowl XXIX
Result: 49ers 49, Chargers 26
Quarterback Steve Young finally got “the monkey” off his back with San Francisco’s dominating performance over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. The clip of Young clamoring to “get the monkey off my back” will forever live in Niners lore.
Young did more than just emerge out of the shadow of his predecessor Joe Montana. He set records — Super Bowl records to be exact.
San Francisco’s quarterback led the heavily favored 49ers to back-to-back touchdowns on their first two possessions. Wide receiver Jerry Rice got the Niners’ scoring off to a good start with a 44-yard end-zone strike that took just three plays.
Young tied the record for most touchdown passes in a half (four) and later surpassed the record for most TD passes in a game (six).
His sixth — the 49ers’ final score in the game — came to none other than Rice, who had 149 receiving yards and three touchdowns over the course of the game.
Had it not been for Young’s record-setting performance, Rice should have easily been the game’s MVP.
But that accolade went to Young. And it is well deserved as is the spot on this list.
Next: Joe Montana Handles John Elway in Super Bowl XXIV