On Monday, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York was asked if he was reaching out to any greats from the franchise's glory years, some of which are successful businessmen. "Absolutely," York answered.
Names like Brent Jones, Steve Young, Harris Barton, and Ronnie Lott were thrown at York as he was asked if he was talking to any of them. "There's another four-time Super Bowl Champion you missed, but yes," York responded, referring to the legendary Joe Montana.
On Wednesday, Steve Young called into KNBR and had a 32-minute discussion with John Lund. During that discussion, Young was asked if he is part of any group that York has reached out to for advice on the general manager and head coach search that the team has embarked on. "No. We're friends," Young said as transcribed by our friend Kevin Jones of KNBR. "And we are friendly. And we traded texts for Christmas and New Years. And I hope the best. But no.
"I think people also need to recognize that when the split happened, when Eddie (DeBartolo) lost the team, and Denise (York) got the team, there was a tremendous acrimony between the parties. And, so the past, that 49er past is gingerly embraced, or, and so — none of us, they're not looking to bring the past back. They are looking to go win Super Bowls into the future. And so I think we'll always be friends, and friendly. And I think they do a great job with the alumni, great job in what they do with philanthropy in the Bay Area. So that's all positive things. There's no negatives. But they are certainly not looking to recreate the 49ers of the 80s and 90s. It's just not a part of the future."
Lund asked once again to confirm that he was not part of the "secret group" that York alluded to during his Monday press conference but refused to divulge any names. Young jokingly replied, "Maybe I'm the idiot! I don't know about a secret group. I'm obviously the fool."
So much for Young being part of the group of former greats that York has reached out to. Now, if we can just find out when Young will do the color commentary for Monday Night Football again.
You can listen to the entire interview on KNBR.
You can read the first half of Kevin Jones' transcription here.