Young was born September 3, 1942, in Marshall, Texas, to Richard and Laverne Young. He spent his childhood in Brownwood, Texas where he set the state (class 4A) shot put record in 1960.
College career
Young started his college career at Texas where he was named the Southwest Conferences outstanding freshman lineman,[1] but in 1961 he transferred to Howard Payne University to be closer to home. At HPU he competed in both football and track, where he threw the shot put.
After his pro career, Young coached in the USFL from 1982 to 1986 as an offensive line coach for the Houston Gamblers. He coached offensive line at University of Houston from 1987 to 1989, and for the Houston Oilers from 1990 to 1995.