Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Sports ~ Young says ‘good bye’ to NFL by Dennis Georgatos Asociated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Steve Young couldn’t say goodbye without one more visit to the locker room. Young, 38, a two-time league MVP who succeeded Joe Montana and led the San Francisco 49ers to their fifth Super Bowl title following the 1994 season, was to announce his retirement Monday at a farewell news conference. It was held in the club’s locker room at team head quarters at his request. The guest list included former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo. who turned con trol of the team over to his sister to help resolve a family feud, and Cleveland Browns president Carmen Policy, who left San Francisco after a falling out with DeBartolo. Members of Young’s family along with Seattle coach Mike Holmgren and Denver coach Mike Shanahan, both former 49ers offensive coordinators and both influential in Young’s development, also were expected to attend. The decision to end his 15-year NFL career followed months of agonized de bate, both within himself and the orga nization, over his future because of his history of concussions. The last blow came Sept. 27 in agame at Arizona, a frightening hit that left Young out cold for some 30 seconds with his eighth known concussion and fourth in three years. He endured post-concussion symptoms of nausea, dizziness, headaches and lethargy for weeks and missed the rest of the season. Young’s primary neurologist, Stan ford University’s Dr. Gary Steinberg, is believed to have told Young last year that he should quit football because he would put himself at risk for more damaging head blows by resuming his career. How ever, Young, still yearning to play, sought advice from other doctors and passed a series of neurological tests showing he was clinically “normal.” The salary-cap stressed 49ers, fear ful of the potential for re-injury and wary of the payroll implications if they brought Young back, urged retirement. Young briefly considered the notion of going to Denver for one last shot at a Super Bowl run but ultimately determined it was time to call it a career and to finish as a 49er. Changes in his personal life also in fluenced his decision. The long-time bach elor got married March 14 to Barbara Graham and the couple is expecting a ba by in late December. Young, who overcame the shadow of Montana to create his own legacy, leaves as the NFL’s highest-rated passer and a six-time winner of the league’s passing efficiency title. With Jerry Rice, he formed the most prolific touchdown-pass tandem in NFL history as they combined for 85 scores. He was part of one of the most riv eting finishes ever in a playoff game when he hooked up with Terrell Owens on a last-second 25-yard touchdown pass to beat Green Bay on Jan. 3,1999. Equally dangerous as a runner, the seven-time Pro Bowler rushed for an NFL-record 43 touchdowns, including a remarkable 49-yard scramble in 1988 against Minnesota that endures as one of football’s greatest broken-field runs. He threw for a record six touchdowns in San Francisco’s 49-26 Super Bowl win over San Diego in January 1995, gar nering an MVP award for his performance in the championship game. “I really believe he’s one of the top five players ever to play the game at his position,” said Shanahan, who was San Francisco’s offensive coordinator during the 49ers’ last Super Bowl season. “He could do it all. He had a great sense of timing. He could make all the throws. He was a great competitor. ” Bouknight from page 9 The second day was halfway over before the phone finally rang. “I felt like I did enough to be draft ed higher,” Bouknight said. “It’s an hon or, but I fed proud to come back.” Bouknight has plenty of reasons to come back, including the possibility of another big year that could help his stock rise in the eyes of the pro scouts. ^iven&eact 100 Riverbend Drive W. Columbia, SC 29169 Enjoy a campus atmosphere without the dorm atmosphere. If Bouknight suits up for his senior season, he only needs one victory to break the USC record for career wins. Also, he has a chance of breaking the na tional career win record of 51 with an other year like the past one. He is only 18 hours away from his degree, which could be easily accom plished should he stay in school. And, also, given the Gamecocks’ frustrations of being kept out of the College World Series this year, Bouknight wants one more shot at a national title. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that,” Bouknight said ‘To get so close and then watch it get away was pretty tough.” • State of the art Fitness Center • Multi Station Computer Lab • Fax & modem station linked to USC campus • Study area • Two on-site Laundry Facilities “I think all kids should come to school for four years,” Tanner said, “but that’s not what’s best for everybody.” With the support of family and friends, it appears Bouknight will be tak ing the mound for USC next February. Adding to the pressure is the fact that teammate Clint Collins has already signed, and Carolina’s other two Killer B’s, Peter Bauer and Scott Barber, are supposedly leaning toward signing. “We’ll just have to see what hap pens,” Bouknight said. “I can’t say what I will or won’t do. but I am a Game cock.” • Spacious 1,2,& 3 bedroom apartments • Swimming pools • Tennis court • Catering to students • Lounge area • On-site 24 hr. maintenance 794-2948 Fax 794-0017 wvAv.riverbendapts.com Killer B's honored by national coaches USC Sports Information South Carolina pitcher Kip Bouknight has been named the American Baseball Coaches Association's National Player of the Year, which was announced in Om aha, Neb. at the College World Series. Bouknight, who was previously named Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's National Player of the Year, finished the year 17-1 with a 2.81 ERA. Joining Bouknight on the All-Amer ica team are fellow Killer B’s Peter Bauer and Scott Barber, who were both named to the third team. Bauer, a second round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in last week's amateur draft, was 13-2 on the year with an ERA of 3.11. Barber,asixth round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks, filled a variety of roles for the Game cocks. Barber finished 9-2 on the year with a school record 15 saves. In addition to being the closer, Barber also started eight games in 2000. This is the fourth first team All-Amer ica selection for Bouknight, who was drafted in the 21 st round by the Oakland A's in last week's draft. USC football graduation rates near top of nation USC Sports Information The University of South Carolina football team's graduation rate of 75 per cent has been recognized by the Amer ican Football Coaches Association as be ing one of the best in the country. While Syracuse received the AFCA's Academ ic Achievement Award for having a 100 percent graduation rate, USC was one of 26 other NCAA Division 1-A programs to receive honorable mention status for having graduation rates of 70 percent or better. The graduation rates are based upon the freshman class entering the 1994-95 academic year. This marks the third time in the past four years that USC's football graduation rate has been singled out for being at 70 percent or higher. The overall gradua tion rate for the 97 institutions respond ing to the study was 57 percent. South Carolina was joined on this honorable mention list along with: Ball State, Bay lor, Boston College, Bowling Green, Cen tral Michigan, Clemson, Duke, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Marshall, Mia mi (Fla.), Mississippi State, Northwest ern, Notre Dame, Purdue, Rice, South ern California, Southern Methodist, Tulane, Tulsa, Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin.