Young Gets Old Quickly

What’s more important to 49er fans, winning or Steve Young? “I remember a flash and as I was going backward, catching Dave Fiore’s knee and then the ground,” Young said of the hit that left him with a concussion Monday. “And then mostly just resting for a second because I wanted to collect myself.”

Another concussion could send Young to the sideline permanently, but by then it might be too late to prevent long-term damage.

The dangers from repeat concussions include premature senility and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Saint Coach Mike Ditka, on the outpouring of love from the people in Chicago in the days before Sunday’s game: “What happened 15 years ago should have no bearing on what’s going on now. It doesn’t really. You can’t take the past away from you, but you can’t live in the past. I don’t do that. It’s just a football game.”

Ditka says it’s just a football game? He must be kidding.

The Falcons are disappointed in Chris Chandler’s hamstring problems, but they aren’t surprised. Some insiders wondered if he committed himself enough to coming to training camp prepared.