Bringing some of the same zeal that propelled him to Hall of Fame status, Steve Young broke the huddle at the old Provo High School football field.
As a last-minute surprise addition to the annual BYU Alumni Game, Young called a play he had previously seen performed under the Friday night lights.
Against the Navy defense, the former San Francisco 49er and BYU standout took the snap and waited for his receivers to cross in the back of the end zone. Young’s lefty floated the ball to Aleva Hifo (2016–2019), who broke loose to his left for the touchdown.
As he struggled to catch his breath, Young told BYUtv, “The play was called ‘Shake! Shake! Shake.'” “Last fall, I was the girls’ flag football coach. “Shake, Shake, Shake” by Taylor Swift was the touchdown. I already had my own things, so I didn’t need Riley Nelson’s playbook or any of the Cougs stuff. The game was won by Taylor Swift.
Young (1980–1983), who was playing for Team Navy when he started the touch football game, made a Taylor Swift move to “shake it off” and returned for one more drive in the second half after throwing an interception to linebacker Uani Unga (2012–2013) on the second play.
Young changed teams, clearly more at ease passing to people in royal jerseys than navy ones, and his new team quickly moved down the field with a series of short throws.
“I was on my way home,” Young declared. “Do you want to run one more play?” they asked. I thought I’d run a play, and this is what came out of it.
Young was lifted up onto the shoulders of the Royal roster, much to the pleasure of the spectators. The former MVP of the Super Bowl hoisted his fists in the air as though he had just secured another victory. It was not a horrible way to finish a day that Young had not anticipated.
Young remarked, “I had no idea (the game) was tonight.” While I was on campus, someone informed me that the alumni game was taking place tonight. “I’ve been wanting to go to the alumni game for years,” I exclaimed. And so, here we are. It feels better than I anticipated that my arm would. What the Hell, then? See what we can accomplish.
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