Bryant Young facts for kids
Young in 2022
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| Position: | Defensive tackle Defensive end |
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| Born: | January 27, 1972 Chicago Heights, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 291 lb (132 kg) | ||||||||||
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| High school: | Bloom (Chicago Heights, Illinois) |
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| College: | Notre Dame (1989–1993) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1994 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Bryant Colby Young, born on January 27, 1972, is a former American football star. He played as a defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). Young played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The 49ers picked him in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft. Young was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
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Early Life and High School Football
Bryant Young was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He went to Bloom High School in Chicago Heights. While there, he showed great skill in football.
College Football Career
Young was a key player for Notre Dame. He started for three years and played all four years from 1990 to 1993. In his final year, he was named an All-American. That season, he made 6.5 sacks and 67 tackles. As a junior, he was also recognized as an Honorable Mention All-American. He had 7.5 sacks that year. Bryant Young finished college in 1994 with a degree in marketing.
Playing in the NFL
The San Francisco 49ers chose Bryant Young as the seventh overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft. He quickly became an important player.
Early Success with the 49ers
In 1995, Young was named Honorable Mention All-Pro. His best season statistically was in 1996. He recorded 84 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two safeties. This impressive performance earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
In 1997, even though his sack numbers went down, Young was still a strong force on the defensive line. He helped the 49ers have the best overall defense in the NFL that year. Many people thought he was the best defensive tackle in the league.
Overcoming a Serious Injury
In 1998, Young was having a great season, leading all defensive tackles with 9.5 sacks. However, he suffered a very serious leg injury during a game against the New York Giants. The injury was so bad that doctors had to put a metal rod in his broken leg.
Despite this major setback, Young worked hard to recover. He came back fully ready for the 1999 season. That year, he made over 70 tackles, 11 sacks, and a safety. His amazing return earned him his second Pro Bowl selection. He also received the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for his incredible effort.
Career Achievements and Retirement
Bryant Young finished his 14-year career with the 49ers with 89.5 sacks. This places him among the top defensive tackles in NFL history for sacks. He also holds the 49ers' team record for career safeties, with 3.
Young was a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s. This means he was recognized as one of the best players of that decade. He retired after the 2007 season. He was the last player still active from the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIX.
In 2022, Bryant Young was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors a football player can receive. He also won the 49ers' Len Eshmont Award eight times. This award goes to the player who shows the most "inspirational and courageous play." No other player has won it more than twice.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Bryant Young became a coach.
- On January 21, 2010, he was hired as the defensive line coach at San Jose State University.
- On January 14, 2011, Young became the defensive line coach at the University of Florida.
- He later joined the Atlanta Falcons as their defensive line coach on February 8, 2017. He worked there for two seasons before deciding to spend more time with his family.
Personal Life
Bryant Young is a Christian. He is married to Kristin M. Young, and they have six children. His son, Bryce, also plays college football at Notre Dame.
