Young is forever in debt to Sanders
Published: August 6th, 2011 | Tags: 2011 Hall of Fame, Boomer Esiason, Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young
CANTON, Ohio — As the rain gives way to some early-evening sunshine here at Fawcett Stadium, it occurs to me that Steve Young – now and forever — should pay for the dry cleaning of Deion Sanders‘ new gold blazer.
It’s the least Young can do, considering that, if it weren’t for “Primetime” joining the 49ers for the 1994 season, he might have never won a Super Bowl … at least not as a starter. It’s fair to assume that had Sanders gone to Dallas that season rather than waiting another year, he would’ve shifted the advantage to the Cowboys in the NFC title game, thereby relegating Young’s enduring legacy to “can’t win the big one” status.
Don’t get me wrong: Even if Young hadn’t had that six-touchdown Super Bowl MVP performance against the Chargers, he probably would’ve wound up getting a bust in Canton anyway — probably.
Think I’m overstating it? Go ask Young’s fellow southpaw, Boomer Esiason (who threw for more career yards and touchdowns than Young) what a difference winning the Super Bowl can make.