“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

Few NCAA Division I college football programs have the established history and legacy at the quarterback position to match that of Brigham Young University (BYU). From Steve Young (1980s) to Steve Sarkisian (1990s) to Taysom Hill (2010s) to Zach Wilson (2020), the program's list of past quarterbacks who starred at the position is remarkable. Seven Cougar quarterbacks have been the recipient of the prestigious Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top passer, the most of any NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision program. In addition, over the past 30 years BYU has had five quarterbacks enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame - Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, Steve Young, and Ty Detmer - the most of any NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program since 1990 and second all-time to the University of Notre Dame's nine enshrined quarterbacks. In the following chapters some of the most memorable moments from the careers of BYU's greatest quarterbacks during the modern era of the Cougar football program (1960-2020) are highlighted. In addition, the author attempts to address the interminable question of "Who is BYU's Greatest Quarterback?" through a quantitative analysis of pre-weighted team and individual accomplishments during the tenure of each quarterback. The results support the nomination of four candidates to be honored on a "BYU Football Mount Rushmore of Quarterbacks." Appendices are provided that summarize the career statistics of all quarterbacks along with records of the fourteen BYU head football coaches to date. Cougar fans will enjoy a detailed stroll down BYU football memory lane as they reminisce about the many unforgettable players, coaches, and moments that have contributed to the rich history of the football program.

This guide is the ultimate resource for true fans of the BYU Cougars. Whether you were there for the 1984 championship season or cheered along with Jimmermania, these are the 100 things every fan needs to know and do in their lifetime. Cougars beat writer Jeff Call has collected every essential piece of BYU knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

The soaring saga and official history of Brigham Young University football, what some people have called the Mormon Notre Dame.

This unique, compelling new title assembles the greatest players from one of the most celebrated teams in college football to share their personal memories. Filled with firsthand accounts with dozens of players--from the team's early days through the new millennium. What It Means to be a Cougar: LaVell Edwards, Bronco Mendenall and BYU's Greatest Players explores the phenomenon of being a BYU Cougar. One person or phrase cannot answer that question because so many different emotions encompass the Cougar spirit. What It Means to be an Cougar brings together stories, as told by the most outstanding voices of the BYU program and guaranteed to enhance your passion for Cougars football. It's not just one tradition, one season or one particular game--it's the stories coming from the players who made the magic happen over the decades that capture the true essence of playing in Provo.

Tales from the BYU Sideline, now newly revised, is a hilarious collection of stories and anecdotes by and about legendary players such as two-time All-Conference safety John Neal, All Americans Jim McMahon and Steve Young, and record-smashing coaches such as LaVell Edwards. From the 1984 national championship team to the fierce rivalry with Utah and memories of the Bowl games, this book includes both game stories as well as chronicles surrounding the program. The tales are delivered with Brad Rock’s unique insight into the good, bad, and funny history of BYU football. Some say you just had to be there to appreciate the moments. In a sense, now you can say you have. This book serves as a complete compilation of memories for any avid Cougars fan.

There are not many things more exciting and entertaining than watching your favorite quarterback fire pass after pass as he leads his team down the field to score. The top NFL QBs in this book, including Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning, are known for their athletic power and crowd-stopping performances. Full-page photos of the players in action accompany each spread. Readers will learn the details of these players’ backgrounds and such details as teams, completion percentages, and touchdown passes. Easy-to-read language by veteran sports author David Aretha will keep readers turning the pages.