When Steve Young announced his retirement Monday, ESPN.com asked its users to share their memories of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback.

From the responses that we received, it is evident Young will be remembered not only by Niners fans, but by NFL fans all around the country.

Here's a sampling of the best of our email bag.

	Steve Young's ability to improvise in the pocket struck a chord with ESPN.com users.

My favorite memory of Steve Young was right after his Super Bowl victory when he was clutching the Lombardi trophy like it was a toy. He finally had lived his dream of winning a Super Bowl as the starting quarterback -- and he did so in a record-setting performance. Steve went to the same high school I attended, and it was very nice to see this hometown hero achieve his wonderful dream. We are going to miss your great NFL spirit.

Chris Bruno
Greenwich, Conn.

My memory of Young is a memory of what it was like to watch him play. Young was great at expressing his emotions very visibly. The difference between Steve and other players, however, was that people could feel Young's emotions themselves. It drew you in and you really became anxious, joyous, frustrated, or determined. Maybe the injuries he suffered made him seem less of a superstar and more human, but I think that it was just the talent present in one special individual.

Dave Loughnot
Pleasanton, Calif.

Steve Young catching -- yes, catching -- the pass to win the game against Missouri at the Holiday Bowl in 1983 in the final game of his college career at Brigham Young. It was a fitting end to a brilliant college career. You could tell then that Steve was going to be great in the NFL.

Cary Pittard
Orlando Fla.

Steve, I am truly happy you have retired, as I (and the rest of the 49er faithful) would have hated to see you hurt. If any of us thought you could win another Super Bowl ring, which you deserve, we would have urged a different result. However, neither Denver nor Seattle could have guaranteed that result, and the risk of you being hurt is too great. Although I am saddened by the result, I am happy you made the choice you did.

You have suffered through Montana's shadow and come out glowing. You have suffered through countless rushes and hits, only to lead the 49ers with grace and courage. You, in your own way, have left an imprint on not only the 49ers, but football in general. For that, I am grateful and very appreciative that you did all this wearing 49ers colors.

Today, everyone is a Steve Young fan.

Adam Weissburg
San Francisco

As a lifelong Vikings fan (long-time sufferer as well), I will always remember the long touchdown run where Steve Young made the entire team miss him (some defenders twice). His ability to turn disaster into victory will be his legacy in my opinion. People say he was great because of the Niners and the system, but no system gives a player the guts, talent and instinct to be a winner. My only regret is that Steve never wore purple.

Ross Cochran
Berwyn, Pa.

What I remember most about Steve Young is his competitiveness. He hated to lose and would do anything to win. That's why he holds the rushing TD record for quarterbacks in the NFL. He just flat-out wanted to win. And if he is anything like this in the business world, he has a great future ahead of him. We are going to miss Steve Young! Good Luck in all you do, Steve!

Nick Mimis
Indiana, Pa.

Our hearts are broken. No reason to watch football anymore. Today is one of the worst days of our lives.

The Medina Family
Rochester, N.Y.

First, congrats to Steve on a wonderful career. For a man who followed a legend, you couldn't ask for more than what he did. All he did was earn his way to Canton right alongside the man he replaced. If Joe Montana goes down as the best-ever, than Steve is in that same class. I, as a 49er fan as well as a football fan, have been spoiled living in the Bay Area. Steve was a leader we can all appreciate.

Alex Flores
San Jose, Calif.

My favorite memory of Steve Young is the 1996 regular-season game against the Bengals at Candlestick Park. After falling behind by three touchdowns, a battered Young returned to the game and led the Niners to victory by limping into the end zone for the winning score. Young won games that were bigger, and he had more dramatic victories, but none was as hard-fought as this one was.

Tom Simkowski
San Bruno, Calif.

The come-from-behind Holiday Bowl win against Missouri has become a classic for BYU fans. Steve did it all to win that game and ended winning on sheer will! It is said that when the game is on the line you want the ball in the hands of your best player. Steve proved the axiom by catching the game-winning, flea-flicker TD pass.

Tony Perkins
Lehi, Utah

He was being interviewed in the locker room after winning his first and only Super Bowl ring. The excitement in his eyes and the look on his face said it all. Holding the Vince Lombardi trophy, one of the sportscasters had asked him a question. He looked into the camera and said, "this belongs to each and every person in this room and no one can ever take that away from us ... no one." The monkey was finally off of his back!

Louis Scott, Jr
Brooklyn, N.Y.

The thing I always will remember about Steve Young is hating him for taking Joe Montana's starting job. I was 14 years old when Young took over. But it didn't take long for Young to win me over. The funny thing is, I started watching football when I was 10 and immediately liked the 49ers, but when I think back, almost all of the highlights I can remember are of Steve Young and not Joe Montana. I will never forget his last-second touchdown pass to Terrell Owens to beat the Packers in the 1998 playoffs.

Matthew Ungerank
Fenton, Mo.

If its fourth-and-5 with the Super Bowl on the line and I have my pick of Hall Of Famers to take the snap ... I take Steve Young any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Not that Montana, Marino, Elway, Unitas, Naimath, and Co. couldn't have gotten it done, but no one had more ways of picking up five yards than Steve. I can't remember one 49ers' game where I didn't walk away from the television set shaking my head in disbelief over the way he competed and the plays he made. I will miss that kind of fire on the field. Thanks for the memories, Steve.

Dan Combs
Grand Rapids, Mich.

With seconds left in the NFC wild-card game in 1998, Steve Young stumbled as he took the snap from center and threw a 29-yard reception to Terrell Owens in the end zone for the victory against the Green Bay Packers. In that same game, a few plays earlier, Jerry Rice fumbled a reception and Green Bay recovered the ball only to have possession stay with the 49ers. Fortunately for a bad call, this play will remain in history as one of the greatest throws/catch in any playoff game.

Dan Combs
Grand Rapids, Mich.

The thing I will remember most about Steve Young was being at Candlestick Park and watching the pocket break down, and watching Steve take off running upfield not to run out of bounds, but instead to try to go the distance for a touchdown. I remember how the crowd would feed off his energy. I never thought I would have the privilege of seeing two of the greatest quarterbacks ever in my lifetime, I feel very fortunate that Steve Young was a 49er!

David Simmons
San Rafael, Calif.

The following are a few words that I would use to describe what I remember about Steve Young: Gritty, Fearless, Passionate, Jovial, Tough, Competitor, and above all else, CLASSY! Thanks for all of the memories (even that run against the Vikings in the playoffs, which I think could tell the story of your career!). You will be missed on Sundays! I hope you go to MNF.

Charles Musech
Minneapolis