QB

My Life Behind the Spiral

Steve Young, Jeff Benedict

• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN:
  9780544845770
• Print ISBN:
  9781328745729

"Steve Young is a hero of mine. . . His perseverance, intelligence, and, most of all, grace under pressure, NFL-style, make this book a fascinating read." —Tom Brady
In the most candid and compelling sports memoir since Andre Agassi's riveting bestseller  Open, former San Francisco 49er, Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP, and Hall of Famer Steve Young gives readers an unprecedented and stunning inside look at what it takes to become a super-elite professional quarterback.
Steve Young produced some of the most memorable moments in NFL history. But his most impressive victories have been deeply personal ones that were won when no one was watching. His remarkably revealing memoir is the story of a Mormon boy with a 4.0 GPA, a photographic memory, and a severe case of childhood separation anxiety.
As an eighth-string quarterback at Brigham Young University, it was doubtful that he would ever see any playing time. But Young became an All-American, finished second in the Heisman voting, and was the top draft choice out of college. Then, after signing the largest contract in sports history, anxiety nearly drove him to walk away from football completely.
In short, Young's quest in life was always about grit. Now, he shares the experience of being inside his helmet while he faces down his toughest adversaries, both on and off the field.
"This book is gold." —Peter King
"Intense." — San Francisco Chronicle
"Young's battles with anxiety make you forget you are reading about a Hall of Famer, and make you root for him at every turn. This is a revealing, honest, compelling book that any fan will enjoy." —Michael Rosenberg, senior writer, Sports Illustrated

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Head Games
• Grit
• Greenwich
• Turning Point
• Ten Thousand Spirals
• Just Relax
• Comparisons
• All-American
• The $40 Million Man
• The Express
• Running for My Life
• Photos I
• Changing Places
• Joe Montana’s Shoes
• Awkward
• Quarterback Controversy
• The Run
• Missed Opportunity
• Uncashed Checks
• Times Are Changing
• More Than a Feeling
• Losing It
• Blessing in Disguise
• A Run-Pass Threat
• MVP
• Dallas
• Going Deep
• Sleepless in San Francisco
• One Game at a Time
• Keep the Faith
• Reload
• The Things That Bind
• Fiery Leader
• Super
• Photos II
• Fame
• Repeating Isn’t Easy
• 60 Minutes
• Pain
• Relief
• Let’s Go
• Staying Young
• She Is Out There
• The Catch II
• The One
• Over and Out
• The Long Good-bye
• Epilogue
• Acknowledgments
• Index
• About the Authors
• Connect with HMH