At age 18, an auspicious Joe Montana graduated from High School. In the fall of 1974, Montana made his way onto the Notre Dame campus really to play some football. However, his plans were soon cut short when he was listed as seventh string on the depth chart. Throughout his whole freshman year, Montana played on the practice squad and prepared the real defense for their next game. Then, after a coaching change in 1975, Montana finally got his first start as a sophomore when the first and second strings went down with season ending injuries. Throughout the course of his sophomore and junior seasons Montana led his school to victory. He brought his team back on game winning touchdown drives many times and in 1977 he brought Notre Dame a National Championship. Montana graduated in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration.
As a senior in high school, Steve Young had already made a name for himself on the national stage. He was heavily recruited by schools such as North Carolina, Miami, and Nebraska for his unorthodox running style which at the time had not been seen from a quarterback. However, when Young made his final decision on where to go, he decided to attend Brigham Young University (BYU). As a freshman in 1980, Young was immediately the starter. At first, he struggled with passing, but his quickness and stellar scrambling ability kept his team in the games. Over the next two seasons, Young's passing ability improved and in his senior season he threw for an NCAA record 3,902 yards and 33 touchdowns, making him a Heisman Trophy Finalist, however he didn't win and finished as the runner up. Young graduated in 1985 with a degree in Law.
Although Young and Montana took different paths to college stardom, they still had very similar experience during their collegiate years. Both of these young men attended religious oriented universities; Montana went to Notre Dame, a Roman Catholic school, and Young went to BYU, a Mormon school. Each of these men had to attend church on a regular basis. Religion played a very important role in their college experiences. Along with religion their football experiences ended the same way. Neither of these men left college early for the pros, yet they both continued on to play in the NFL.Joe Montana was drafted by the San Fransisco 49ers in the 3rd round, 82nd overall, in 1979. During Montana's first two seasons in the league he was the second string quarterback, however, he finally made his starting debut in 1981. For his first two years as a starter Montana led his team to the playoffs, however, the 49ers were never able to get past the NFC Championship game. The tide changed in 1983 however when the 49ers broke their losing streak and made it to the Superbowl in Detroit where they faced the Cincinnati Bengals. With little time left in the game, the 49ers were trailing by six points. Starting from his own 20 yard line, Montana led a 80 yard drive capped off by a last second touchdown pass to win the game. Today, this play is known as "the catch." Montana would go on to win one more Superbowl against the Miami Dolphins. Following this game Montana's career took a turn for the worse. He became plagued by injuries, and when the 49ers acquired Steve Young from Tampa Bay it became obvious that Montana's career was coming to a conclusion. Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993, and he retired in 1995.
Instead of going pro, in 1984, right after college, Steve Young signed a record 10-year, $40 million contract with the Los Angeles Express of the now-defunct United States Football League. However, the team went bankrupt in Young's second season and the team shut down. After this, Young was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He immediately started for them, but he did not play well. In his career there he was 3-16 as a starter and he threw for 11 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. The Bucs then selected Vinny Testaverde in the following years draft, so Young was traded to the 49ers for two draft picks. Steve Young played behind Montana his first several years, but shone as a backup. Subbing for an injured Montana early in the first quarter of a 1987 game against the Chicago Bears, he threw 4 touchdown passes in a 41–0 victory, and thus, his hall of fame career began. Young began to start for the 49ers in 1991 when Montana was injured in the '90 playoffs. In the 1994 season, Young finally took the 49ers back to the Superbowl where they defeated the San Diego Chargers 49-26. Young was named Superbowl MVP. In Young's later years, he was plagued by concussions. The 1999 season would turn out to be Young's last. During a Monday Night Football game Young was violently sacked by a Arizona Cardinals conerback. It would turn out to be the last play of Young's career.
Montana and Young were both stellar football players. They both won game after game for their team and eventually took them to the top with a Superbowl victory. Today, both of these men are in the Hall of Fame and they should be. Young was Montana's protege. Young learned everything from Montana while playing behind him for several years. They had similar playing styles and were great leaders. For every king there is an heir and Montana is the King and Young is the Heir.
Montana and Young were both stellar football players. They both won game after game for their team and eventually took them to the top with a Superbowl victory. Today, both of these men are in the Hall of Fame and they should be. Young was Montana's protege. Young learned everything from Montana while playing behind him for several years. They had similar playing styles and were great leaders. For every king there is an heir and Montana is the King and Young is the Heir.
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