Vince Young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Vince Young

Young in 2007
No. 10, 9
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1983-05-18) May 18, 1983 (age 42) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:	Madison (Houston)
College:	Texas (2002–2005)
NFL Draft:	2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
Career history
As player:
Tennessee Titans (2006) Philadelphia Eagles (2011) Buffalo Bills (2012)* Green Bay Packers (2013)* Cleveland Browns (2014)* Saskatchewan Roughriders (2017)*
As coach:
Texas (2021–present) Special assistant
Career highlights and awards
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2006) 2× Pro Bowl (2006, 2009) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2006) BCS national champion (2005) Maxwell Award (2005) Manning Award (2005) Davey O'Brien Award (2005) First-team All-American (2005) Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2005) Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2003) First-team All-Big 12 (2005) Texas Longhorns No. 10 retired Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (2018)
Career NFL statistics
Passing attempts: 1,304 Passing completions: 755 Completion percentage: 57.9% TD–INT: 46–51 Passing yards: 8,964 Passer rating: 74.4 Rushing yards: 1,459 Rushing touchdowns: 12
Player stats at PFR
College Football Hall of Fame

Vincent Paul Young Jr. (born May 18, 1983) is a former American football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. Young was picked by the Tennessee Titans as the third overall player in the 2006 NFL draft. He was also chosen to be the cover athlete for the Madden NFL 08 video game.

Young played college football for the Texas Longhorns. Many people consider him one of the best quarterbacks in college history. In his junior year, he won the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the best college quarterback. He finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.

After the Heisman voting, Young led his team to a BCS National Championship. They played against the USC Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl. This game is often called one of the greatest college football games ever. The University of Texas later retired Young's jersey number 10.

He played his first five seasons with the Titans, winning 30 out of 47 games he started. In his first year, Young was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was also chosen for the AFC Pro Bowl team. In 2009, Young was picked for his second Pro Bowl. He was also named the Sporting News NFL Comeback Player of the Year. After the Titans, he played one year as a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. He also had short tryouts with the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Cleveland Browns. In 2017, he tried to play in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but was released before the season.

Early Life and High School Football

Young grew up in Houston, Texas, mostly raised by his mother and grandmother. He credits them for keeping him away from bad influences. When he was seven, Young was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. This accident almost killed him and he was in the hospital for months. He says this event made him a "tougher" person. He wore the number 10 jersey to honor his mother, whose birthday is June 10.

High School Achievements

Young played for Ray Seals at Madison High School in Houston. He was the starting quarterback for three years. During his high school career, he gained 12,987 yards of total offense. In his senior year, he led his team to a big 61–58 victory. This game was against the undefeated Galena Park North Shore Mustangs. Young accounted for over 400 yards and five touchdowns in that game.

Some of the awards Young received in high school include:

• Being named Parade and Student Sports National Player of the Year.
• Being named 2001 Texas 5A Offensive Player of the Year.
• Being called The Sporting News top high school prospect.
• Winning the Pete Dawkins Trophy in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Young was also a talented athlete in other sports. He played basketball as a guard/forward. He averaged over 25 points per game. In track and field, he was part of two district champion 400-meter relay teams. He also played baseball for two seasons. He was an outfielder and a pitcher.

College Football Career

Young during the 2005 Big XII Championship game

Young scores a touchdown in the 2005 Big 12 Championship Game.

Young about to score the go-ahead touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl

Young at the White House with George W. Bush, Mack Brown, and members of the 2005 national championship team

Young went to the University of Texas. He played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2002 to 2005. He was part of a very strong group of new players. This group included future NFL players like Rodrique Wright and Justin Blalock. Young did not play in his first year, which is called a redshirt year.

2003 and 2004 Seasons

In 2003, as a redshirt freshman, Young started as the second-string quarterback. But he began playing more during the season. In 2004, as a sophomore, Young started every game. He led the Longhorns to an 11–1 record. They lost only one game to their rival, Oklahoma. They also made their first-ever appearance in the 2005 Rose Bowl. They won that game against the University of Michigan. Young became known as a "dual-threat" quarterback. This means he was good at both passing and rushing the ball. He passed for 1,849 yards and rushed for 1,189 yards.

2005 Season: National Championship

In 2005, as a junior, Young led the Longhorns to an undefeated 11–0 regular season. They were ranked #2 for most of the season. Texas then won the Big 12 championship game. This earned them a spot in the National Championship Rose Bowl game. They played against the USC Trojans. Before the game, many people thought USC was the greatest college football team ever. They had won 34 games in a row. USC also had two Heisman Trophy winners on their team.

In the 2006 Rose Bowl, Young was amazing. He gained 467 yards of total offense. This included 200 yards rushing and 267 yards passing. He also scored three rushing touchdowns. One of these was a 9-yard touchdown run on fourth down with only 19 seconds left. This play led the Longhorns to a 41–38 victory. Young won the Rose Bowl MVP award for his performance. He finished the season with 3,036 passing yards and 1,050 rushing yards. He also won the Davey O'Brien Award. He was named an All-American. In 2018, Young was added to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.

Early in his college career, some people said Young was a "great rusher" but only an "average passer." They also criticized his throwing style. But he proved them wrong with his incredible success.

Young's record as a starting quarterback was 30 wins and 2 losses. This is one of the best winning percentages in college football history. His career passing completion percentage is the best in Texas history at 60.8%. During his time at Texas, Young passed for 6,040 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also rushed for 3,127 yards and 37 touchdowns. In 2007, ESPN ranked his game-winning touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl as the #5 play in college football history. The University of Texas retired Young's #10 jersey on August 30, 2008.

College Statistics

College Records and Awards

Vince Young set many records during his college career.

• He was the first player in NCAA I-A history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
• He holds five of the top seven single-game quarterback rushing performances in Texas history.
• Young is one of only four players to win the Rose Bowl MVP award twice.
• He set Rose Bowl and BCS Championship Game records for total yards (467) and rushing yards by a quarterback (200).
• He also set BCS Championship Game records for rushing touchdowns (3) and pass completions (30).
• Young holds many University of Texas records, including most rushing yards by a quarterback in a game (267) and career (3,127).
• His winning percentage as a starting quarterback (30–2, or .938) ranks sixth best in NCAA Division I history.

Young received many honors for his college performance:

• 2006 – ESPY Award for Best Championship Performance.
• 2006 – ESPY Award for Best Game (2006 Rose Bowl).
• 2006 – Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year.
• 2006 – Manning Award winner.
• 2006 – Rose Bowl MVP (for 2005 season).
• 2005 – BCS National Champion.
• 2005 – Maxwell Award – College Player of the Year.
• 2005 – Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
• 2005 – 1st Team All-Big 12 Conference honors.
• 2005 – Rose Bowl MVP (for 2004 season).
• 2003 – Big 12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year.
• His #10 jersey was retired by the Texas Longhorns.

Professional Football Career

After winning the BCS National Championship, Young decided to enter the 2006 NFL Draft. He was expected to be picked very early. Some people worried about his throwing style and how it would work in the NFL.

Before the draft, players take a test called the Wonderlic Test. It measures a player's ability to learn complex football plays. Young's initial score was reported as very low, but officials later said that score was wrong. He then took the test again and scored higher.

Tennessee Titans Years (2006–2010)

The Tennessee Titans picked Vince Young as the 3rd overall player in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was the first quarterback chosen. The Titans believed he had great potential. On July 27, 2006, Young signed a big contract with the Titans. It was worth up to $58 million over five years, with $25.7 million guaranteed.

Rookie Season (2006)

Young made his first NFL start on October 1, 2006, against the Dallas Cowboys. He got his first NFL win on October 15, 2006, against the Washington Redskins. On November 26, 2006, Young led his first NFL fourth-quarter comeback against the New York Giants. The Giants were leading 21–0, but Young led his team to a 24–21 victory. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.

Young during the 2007 Pro Bowl, wearing red/white #10

A week later, Young led another comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans won 20–17. This made him the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to lead two comebacks of 14 points or more in one season. He also led a game-winning drive against his hometown team, the Houston Texans, scoring a 39-yard touchdown run in overtime.

Young set an NFL record for rushing yards by a rookie quarterback with 552 yards. This record has since been broken. He won the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of The Year award. He was only the third quarterback to win this award. On February 3, 2007, Young was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl. He had an 8–5 record as a starter in his rookie season.

Young appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated six times. His performance also earned him the honor of being the cover athlete for the video game Madden NFL 08.

Vince Young along with Congressman Al Green at the Vince Young Parade in Houston on February 11, 2006

Later Seasons with Titans

In 2007, Young helped the Titans reach the playoffs. He finished the regular season with 2,459 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He also had 395 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. In his first playoff game, the Titans lost to the Chargers.

In 2008, Young injured his knee early in the season. Kerry Collins became the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. The Titans had a great 13–3 record, with Young as the backup.

In 2009, Young took over as the starting quarterback after the Titans started the season 0–6. He led the team to win eight of his ten starts. The 2009 Titans were the first team in NFL history to win five straight games after losing their first six. On November 29, 2009, Young led a 99-yard game-winning drive against the Arizona Cardinals. He threw a 10-yard touchdown pass with no time left to win the game 20–17. Young was named the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year. He also played in the 2010 Pro Bowl.

In 2010, Young led the Titans to a 4–5 record in nine games. During a game, he suffered a thumb injury. After the game, he had an argument with Coach Fisher. Young was then replaced as the starting quarterback. On January 5, 2011, the Titans announced that Young would no longer be on the team. He finished his Titans career with a 30–17 record. On July 28, 2011, the Titans officially released Young.

Philadelphia Eagles (2011)

Young on the sidelines during an Eagles game in 2011.

Young signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on July 29, 2011. His first start as an Eagle was on November 20, 2011, against the New York Giants. The Eagles won 17–10, with Young throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He started two more games for the Eagles that season.

Final NFL Years (2012–2014)

Young signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills on May 11, 2012, but was released before the season started. On August 6, 2013, he signed with the Green Bay Packers for one year, but was also released before the season. On May 1, 2014, Young signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, but was released just 11 days later.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (2017)

In March 2017, Young signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was competing for a backup quarterback spot. However, he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp. He was released by the Roughriders on June 12, 2017.

NFL Career Statistics

NFL Awards and Honors

• 2x Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2009)
• Cover of Madden NFL 08
• 2006 NFL Rookie of the Week Awards (four separate weekly awards)
• 2006 NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 2006 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year

Retirement and Post-NFL Career

On June 14, 2014, Young announced his retirement from professional football. He said he would consider coming out of retirement for a "guaranteed offer." Young also planned to work at the University of Texas after retiring. On August 14, 2014, he was hired by the University of Texas to work in their Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. His job was to help with alumni relations and raise money for programs that support students who are the first in their family to go to college or who have low incomes. His employment with the university ended in March 2019. In 2021, he was hired again by the University of Texas as a special assistant in the athletic department.

Personal Life

Because of his strong performance and his ties to Houston, January 10, 2006, was named "Vince Young Day" in his hometown. The Texas Senate also declared it "Vince Young Day" throughout the state on February 20, 2007.

Young has appeared in several television commercials. These include ads for Madden 08, Reebok, and Campbell's Chunky Soup. He also appeared in rapper Mike Jones's music video, "My 64".

Young went back to the University of Texas in 2008. In 2013, he graduated with a degree in youth and community studies. Young continues to live in the Hiram Clarke neighborhood of Houston.

Images for kids

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  Young during the 2005 Big XII Championship game

• 

  Young scores a touchdown in the 2005 Big 12 Championship Game.

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  Young about to score the go-ahead touchdown in the 2006 Rose Bowl

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  Young at the White House with George W. Bush, Mack Brown, and members of the 2005 national championship team

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  Young during the 2007 Pro Bowl, wearing red/white #10

• 

  Vince Young along with Congressman Al Green at the Vince Young Parade in Houston on February 11, 2006

• 

  Young on the sidelines during an Eagles game in 2011.

See also

• Madden Curse