Bust-Down Books
QB: My Life Behind the Spiral | Steve Young & Jeff Benedict
QB: My Life Behind the Spiral | Steve Young & Jeff Benedict
Couldn't load pickup availability
A candid and compelling NFL memoir from Hall of Famer Steve Young, revealing his deeply personal triumphs over severe anxiety and his journey to becoming a Super Bowl champion.
Narrative Overview
In one of the most honest and revealing sports memoirs in modern publishing, former San Francisco 49er, Super Bowl MVP, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young gives readers an unprecedented inside look at what it takes to navigate the highest levels of professional football. While Steve Young produced some of the most iconic moments in NFL history on the field, his most impressive victories were deeply personal ones fought behind closed doors when no one was watching.
QB: My Life Behind the Spiral tracks the unlikely trajectory of a Mormon boy with a 4.0 GPA, a photographic memory, and a crippling case of separation anxiety. Beginning as an eighth-string backup at Brigham Young University who seemed destined never to play, Young persevered to become an All-American, a Heisman runner-up, and the top draft pick in college football. Yet after signing the largest contract in sports history, intense panic and anxiety nearly drove him to walk away from the game entirely. Written alongside bestselling author Jeff Benedict, Young's story is an inspiring masterclass in grit, vulnerability, and grace under pressure.
About the Authors
Steve Young is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who played more than fifteen seasons in the NFL, primarily for the San Francisco 49ers. A two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXIX MVP, Young holds a law degree from BYU, serves as an analyst for ESPN, and is a cofounder and managing director of the private equity firm HGGC.
Jeff Benedict is a New York Times bestselling author, film and television producer, and former special features writer for Sports Illustrated. He has authored fifteen books spanning sports, investigative journalism, and history.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does this memoir only cover Steve Young's championship years with the 49ers?
No, it spans his entire football trajectory. The book chronologically tracks his journey from being an anxious, eighth-string backup quarterback at BYU, to his chaotic experience signing a record contract with the short-lived USFL, to his tough years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and finally to his high-pressure tenure in San Francisco.
2. How candid is Steve Young about the legendary quarterback rivalry with Joe Montana?
Incredibly candid. The book is widely celebrated by sports critics for its absolute honesty and integrity. Young details the immense psychological and professional strain of trying to step out from under the shadow of a legendary icon while dealing with an intensely competitive, often silent locker room dynamic.
3. What major personal and mental health struggles does the author reveal?
The defining core of this book isn't football—it is a deeply personal battle against severe childhood separation anxiety and adult panic disorders. Young reveals that at multiple points in his elite career—even after signing the largest financial contract in sports history—his underlying anxiety nearly drove him to walk away from the game entirely.
4. Does the narrative touch upon his life outside of the NFL and his post-football career?
Yes. The book reflects on the unique spiritual and cultural elements of navigating fame as a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also explores his focus on education, including earning his law degree from BYU, and his subsequent success building a career in private equity.
5. Who is the ideal core audience for this sports memoir?
While die-hard football fans will love the intimate, inside-the-helmet operational details of historic games, the book holds immense cross-over appeal for anyone interested in self-improvement. High-profile readers like Tom Brady have praised it as a profound source of inspiration for its focus on sheer grit, perseverance, and maintaining grace under pressure.
Core Audience
Highly Recommended For...
- NFL enthusiasts and San Francisco 49ers fans looking for behind-the-scenes insights into legendary championship eras.
- Readers seeking inspiring autobiographies about overcoming anxiety, panic disorders, and psychological obstacles.
- Athletes, coaches, and business leaders interested in resilience, mental toughness, and grace under pressure.
Product Specifications
| Title | QB: My Life Behind the Spiral |
|---|---|
| Authors | Steve Young and Jeff Benedict |
| Publisher | Mariner Books (An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) |
| Publication Date | October 10, 2017 |
| Format | Trade Paperback (Reprint Edition) |
| ISBN-13 | 9781328745729 |
| ISBN-10 | 1328745724 |
| LCCN | 2016013327 |
| Page Count | 416 pages |
| Dimensions | 5.3 x 1.0 x 8.0 inches |
| Weight | 13.2 oz (0.83 lbs) |
| Language | English |
| BISAC Categories | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports; SPORTS & RECREATION / Football; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
Real Players Shop Bust-Down
Share
