PROVO -- Whether being chased by a 350 pound lineman or celebrating in the locker room after a Super Bowl win, Steve Young felt the pressure.
As the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, he was under pressure to play up to expectations on the football field.And as one of the most high-profile members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was under pressure to live up to expectations off the football field, as well.
"Many times the expectations were more than I could carry and sent me into a deep depression," said Young Thursday at Brigham Young University's Women's Conference.
Young, who spoke with Truman Madsen, former director of BYU's Jerusalem Center and professor emeritus of philosophy, was introduced by his wife of six weeks, the former Barbara Graham.
Before the two men spoke, however, the new Mrs. Young stood at the podium and joked with Madsen's wife, Ann, that although
Madsen earned a doctorate from Harvard, Young graduated with a law degree from BYU.
"And every Cougar I know likes to think that BYU is Harvard," said Barbara Young to laughter from the capacity crowd.
The two men, Young and Madsen, spoke about their travels in the Holy Land, spiritual experiences at Israel's sacred places and how LDS faithful can use the history of Jerusalem to bolster their belief in Jesus Christ.
Young said he overcame his fear of stumbling -- both during games and in the public spotlight -- by tapping into his deeply held religious beliefs.
"I remember being booed by 80,000 fans," he said. He added that at times he "desperately wanted" approval from the fans of the California team and LDS faithful.
Plus, Young, a direct descendant of former LDS Church President Brigham Young, after whom the university is named, is held in esteem by millions of church members who looked to him as a role model.
There wasn't much wiggle room for mistakes for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player.
Madsen recalled seeing a fan at a football game with a sign.
On one side it read, "Steve Young can do anything."
But on the flip side, the poster said, "Steve Young can't do anything."
Young dodges questions about his return to the league, even from cheering fans at the Marriott Center Thursday.
At 38 years -- and still on the mend from the four concussions suffered the past three seasons -- team officials have said he could be released after a June 1 examination.
But even if he can't play, it appears Young is on top of the world -- and for good reason: He's a newlywed, has millions in the bank and can start putting his law degree to use.
Perhaps he could serve as a Sunday School teacher, too. He sure sounded like one during his talk Thursday.
"If you aren't reminded you're a Latter-day Saint by the secular world at least three times a day you should be worried," Young said. "My suggestion is to embrace our peculiarity. I think we should relish being different."
Young said that his Christian beliefs helped him understand that no one is perfect, and God rewards those who are earnestly trying to follow Christ's teachings.