Niners facing probability that Young may not return
Deseret News (AP) 15Oct99 S2
Niners facing probability that Young may not return

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA -- Steve Young, sidelined for two weeks with his fourth concussion in three years is considering the possibility of not ever coming back as he is still affected by lingering symptoms. Young and the Forty-niners are still clinging to faint hopes that his problems will somehow clear up.

However, because of his history of concussions and the risks posed by future repeat episodes, his doctor, agent, coach, and the team's general manager are all giving veiled signals that the 38-year-old Young may have to retire from football, though they are not saying so publicly.

"He's trying to hang on because he's so darn good at it," Coach Steve Mariucci said Thursday. "Certainly, in Steve's mind, there is some hope, somewhere he's reaching for some hope that, 'Hey, I'll be back.í That's what he thinks about. That's why I don't think it's going to happen today or tomorrow. We're going to give it it's due time."