Legendary 49ers quarterback Steve Young had a great time during last season’s dramatic NFC Championship Game win over the Detroit Lions.
Besides watching San Francisco overcome a 17-point deficit to punch its Super Bowl ticket, Young was able to connect with iconic Detroit fan and rapper Eminem.
Young joined KNBR’s “Tolbert and Copes” on Wednesday night and shared his interaction with Eminem when the 49ers trailed in the game and then how the conversation went after San Francisco ultimately won at Levi’s Stadium.
“I mean, you know how I felt about that game and how painful it was — for Eminem,” Young said. “I went and saw him at halftime. I introduced myself to him and was like, ‘You taste it, don’t you?’ And he was like, ‘I do taste it. It’s in my mouth.’ I go, ‘Spit it out, bro. Because you got to get to 34 [points]. And when you get to 34, I’m two doors down, come down and see me — we’ll celebrate your great victory.’
“And he never got to 34, and [Lions coach] Dan Campbell couldn’t kick a field goal. And we all know if he [elected to] kick that field goal and extend that lead, then things would’ve been significantly more difficult. So thanks, Dan, for being Dan.”
The 49ers ultimately defeated the Lions 34-31, hence Young’s benchmark of 34 points.
Eminem, a diehard Detroit fan, was ready to celebrate the team’s first Super Bowl appearance. However, that obviously didn’t happen.
Young said he left the chatter about the game at the scene. He didn’t want to rub the 49ers’ amazing win — and the Lions’ painful loss — in anymore.
“It was just right then,” Young said. “I’m not that kind of guy, ‘Oh, let me see if I can keep a good stream going.’ It would have to be organic — organic or nothing.”
Plus, Young genuinely enjoyed having a conversation with Eminem.
“He was a good dude,” Young said. “He was thoughtful. You could see what a fan he was.”
It’s unlikely Young and Eminem will be in the same room again, but with the expectations San Francisco and Detroit bear for the 2024 NFL season, there’s a good chance the two organizations will meet again with another trip to the big game on the line.
