Upon leading the San Francisco 49ers to their emphatic Super Bowl XXIX victory and earning game MVP honors Steve Young got the proverbial "monkey off his back" as he quoted so eloquently in the post-game celebration. The fleet-of-foot southpaw out of Brigham Young may have lived in Joe Montana's shadow for several years as his back-up and eventual successor but the 1994 season forever cemented his legacy in 49ers lore. In 1996 Young missed five regular season games due to injury but the 49ers were 9-3 in games he started and won another division title before bowing out to the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Featured here is a special pairing of items from that season. The 1996 signed home red jersey was game-issued but not worn. The '96 signed cleats on the other hand look like they were used on a Medieval battlefield - absolutely covered with dried mud from game auction! Who knows they could be the same pair he wore in the 49ers 14-0 shutout over the Eagles in the opening round of the '96 playoffs a rain-drenched game played in sloppy conditions at "The Stick." Both items come with excellent provenance from the widow of a longtime 49ers media and operations executive.

The size 44 Reebok red jersey has the 49ers' 50th anniversary patch on the left chest. The appropriate year tagging appears on the left shirttail. All lettering and numbering come in white on gold and black tackle twill the numbers having the shadowbox design. The SF and Reebok logos adorn each sleeve. Young has autographed the back on his number "8" in 8/10 black marker. The game-ready jersey has minor fraying on the back nameplate but is essentially unblemished with any wear or game-use. It was likely never taken out of the 49ers equipment bag.

The size 11.5 Nike Air cleats which come in team white red and gold team colors are specially designed with a Velcro strap that goes over the laces for further security. The shoes are made of leather and have breathable mesh on the outside for temperature control. The black cleats on the bottom are screwed in. The amount of mud dirt and grass on these puppies is ridiculous. The grass turf at 3Com Park (as it was named in 1996) was not a favorite among players. At certain high tides in Candlestick Point the nearby gridiron was actually below sea level making the field moist and slippery. Still the way these cleats are caked in mud these had to have been played in very rainy conditions such as the Dec. 29 1996 home playoff game vs. Philadelphia (Getty 52011599). Another possibility is the 49ers loss to the Packers the following week (Jan. 4 1997) in Green Bay on the oft frozen but in that case muddy tundra of Lambeau Field (Getty 351499). Steve Young's signature is found on the back heel of both cleats in 8-9/10 black marker with his number "8" marked below probably by the equipment manager. What an awesome lot of Steve Young memorabilia with even some grass and dirt remains of the now defunct Candlestick Park field.

From the collection of the late Dave Rahn the 49ers' Director of Operations for 16 years. Includes LOA from his wife. Autographs pre-certified by PSA/DNA.

From 1986-2002 Dave Rahn served an integral role within the San Francisco 49ers organization. Starting as a public relations and media coordinator he soon took over as director of travel and team services where he was responsible for all football operations including travel and accommodations practice schedules lodging and meal planning. He later managed the concert tours for Fleetwood Mac Sheryl Crow and Lionel Richie. In 2014 Dave Rahn passed away after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. "He was like a wheel and all these spokes from those years came from him" said his close friend former linebacker Gary Plummer. "He kept the 49ers family from those times together." His collection includes dozens of 49ers game-worn and autographed items gifted by the many players and staff members who were loyal friends to Dave and will forever remain close to his loving family.