Niners to retire Young's No. 8

Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young will have his No. 8 retired by the San Francisco 49ers.

Young, 46, will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony on Oct. 5, when the Niners host the New England Patriots at Monster Park. 

San Francisco has retired the numbers worn by 11 players, including quarterbacks John Brodie and Joe Montana.   "It is a tremendous honour, no question about it," Young said. "For all the things we've enjoyed and all the accolades, this might be the best thing of all."

Young led the Niners to their fifth NFL championship in 1995, earning most valuable player honours with a record six touchdown passes in a 49–26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.

A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL MVP, he is still the highest-rated passer in league history at 96.8.

"Young is an important part of the 49ers' history and tradition," Niners owner John York said. "He combined talent, character and a tremendous work ethic to become an incomparable performer and champion on the field."

Young was a career 64.3 per cent passer, completing 2,667 of 4,149 pass attempts for 33,134 yards and 232 touchdowns with 107 interceptions in 169 NFL games, including 143 starts.

He also scrambled 722 times for 4,239 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Young played collegiate football at Brigham Young and turned pro in 1984 with the L.A. Express of the now-defunct United States Football League.

When the USFL disbanded, he was drafted first overall by Tampa Bay in the NFL supplemental draft and played 19 games for the Buccaneers before being dealt to San Francisco for second- and fourth-round draft picks and cash considerations on April 25, 1987.