Bryant Young, a defensive lineman from Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., arrived at Notre Dame in 1990, lettered the next four seasons and was a three-year starter for Lou Holtz and the Fighting Irish.

Going into his sophomore season in 1991, Holtz opined, “I think Bryant Young has the chance to be a great football player.” In an early-season game at Purdue, Young recovered fumbles on consecutive Boilermaker drives, setting up two touchdowns (one by Jerome Bettis) to start a 45-20 rout. Young was on his way toward a stellar season when a broken ankle knocked him out of action.

As a junior in 1992, Young was a standout at defensive tackle and teamed with noseguard Jim Flanagan to help create a formidable line for the Irish. They were at their best in some of the biggest games—holding No. 9 Boston College to seven points, fending off Penn State in the famous “Snow Bowl” game, and limiting No. 4 Texas A&M to just a field goal in a 28-3 Cotton Bowl triumph.

Young served as an Irish co-captain as a senior in 1993, along with Jeff Burris, Tim Ruddy, and Aaron Taylor. By this time, the South Bend Tribune reported, Young had “sculpted himself into a mountain of muscle, an immovable object.” Holtz lamented that in practice the Irish offensive line, led by fellow All-American Taylor, couldn’t tackle Young.

He was phenomenal from start to finish, earning first team All-American honors for the 11-1 Fighting Irish who finished No. 2 nationally. Noted the Tribune: “Quietly and competently, Young has provided stability on the defensive line and in the locker room. He commands respect.”

In the epic takedown of No. 1 Florida State, 31-24, on Nov. 13, Young led the defensive charge with a pair of key sacks of Seminole quarterback Charlie Ward, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner. The Irish again closed with a Cotton Bowl victory over A&M, 24-21.

The San Francisco 49ers selected Bryant with the seventh overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft. His impact was immediate: six sacks in 16 starts and a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team for the Super Bowl champion 49ers. It was the start of a stellar NFL career, all with the 49ers, that would eventually earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

From the start, Young was expected to anchor the 49ers defensive line. He met that challenge and anchored the locker room with a presence that was reflected in the numerous team-issued awards he piled up over his 14 NFL seasons.

Eight times, he received the team’s Len Eshmont Award, given annually since 1957 for “inspirational and courageous play.” Considered the 49ers’ most prestigious honor, Bryant won the award in 1996, 1998-2000 and 2004-07. No other member of the 49ers has won it more than twice.

By 1996, he had blossomed into a dominant force at defensive tackle, turning in his best season statistically: 84 tackles, four passes defensed, two safeties, and 11.5 sacks, a figure that led the team and shared the NFL lead for all defensive tackles. As a result, he earned first-team All-Pro honors and the first of his four Pro Bowl nods.

In 1998, Bryant was well on his way to another magnificent season. In 12 games, he had registered 9.5 sacks—best in the NFL among defensive tackles—along with eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. But a devastating leg injury ended his season and threatened his career.

Bryant rebounded in stunning fashion, however, and returned to action by the 1999 season opener. He recorded 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss on his way to winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award from both the AP and PFWA. He also was named the 49ers’ winner of the league-wide Ed Block Courage Award and won the team’s Matt Hazeltine Award for inspirational play. He followed that with the 2000 George Halas Award, given to the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

For his career, the four-time Pro Bowl honoree totaled 89.5 sacks and three safeties. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

After retiring as a player, Young spent one season (2009) as a graduate assistant coach at Notre Dame, then served as an assistant at San Jose State (2010), the University of Florida (2011-12), and the Atlanta Falcons (2017-19).

Bryant and his wife Kristin have raised a family of six children, including Bryce.

In 2014, they learned the devastating news that their second child, Colby, had a rare brain cancer. For the next two years, they exhausted every treatment option in hopes of a cure. On October 11, 2016, Colby died at the age of 15 after a long fight that touched the lives of people far and wide.

In the ensuing years, Bryant and Kristin have continued to advocate for the children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Bryant is now a special ambassador for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation where Kristin serves on the national board of directors.

Whether battling offensive linemen or supporting families facing cancer, Bryant Young has shown the heart of a champion.