San Francisco 49ers: Top 20 games in franchise history
By Jerod Brown
Steve Young and the 49ers Beat San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX
January 29, 1995 is when Steve Young officially stepped out of the shadow of Joe Montana. Until that point, regardless of what he did on the field, Young would forever be compared to the Golden Boy of quarterbacks and a 49er legend.
Young led his 49ers into Super Bowl XXIX against the Chargers in Miami, Florida with a 13-3 record and a goal of establishing himself as a great QB alongside Montana. The Chargers entered the Super Bowl with an 11-5 regular season record and a defense starring former linebacker Junior Seau.
The 49ers beat the Chargers 49-26 and Steve Young earned the Most Valuable Player award after throwing for six touchdowns overall, including four in one half. He had arrived.
Young famously said, as he walked the sidelines with the game nearly over, “Take the monkey off my back! Please!”
Young’s performance helped calm some of the scrutiny he received while continually being compared to Montana. The 49ers had found a new franchise quarterback that had talent all his own.
Next: Saying Goodbye to Joe