Recovery chances for Bobby Layne, the ailing...

Recovery chances for Bobby Layne, the ailing Pro Football Hall of Fame member, have improved, according to officials at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, Tex. However, the former Detroit Lion quarterback remained in critical but stable condition.

Layne’s condition was upgraded from very critical to critical, a hospital spokesman said.

Layne underwent surgery Saturday to control bleeding in his esophagus, and his condition had deteriorated until Monday.