The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced those elected to the Class of 2022, and former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young is among the upcoming inductees.
"Congratulations to Bryant Young for receiving the ultimate honor of being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said 49ers ownership via a statement issued by the team. "B.Y.'s tenacity, dedication and leadership throughout his illustrious 14-year career earned him respect from his teammates and the 49ers Faithful alike, helping him garner numerous career accolades highlighted by a Super Bowl championship. While he inspired us all through his courageous play, his legacy derives from the integrity, class and character he exemplified to all of us at the 49ers and in the community. B.Y. and his wife, Kristin, will forever be family and we're beyond excited as this next step of his football journey lands in Canton."
In December, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed the 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2022. Young and former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis were among those names. While Willis did not make the final cut, Young did.
San Francisco made Young the No. 7 overall draft pick in 1994, was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year during the ensuing season, and spent 14 seasons with the team. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times, was a first-team All-Pro in 1996, and was part of San Francisco's Super Bowl XXIX championship team.
Young started all 208 games in which he appeared and registered 774 total tackles, 27 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and 89.5 sacks, which ranks first in franchise history since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He recorded 11-or-more single-season sacks twice in his career, including 11.5 in 1996.
In 1998, against the New York Giants, Young suffered a broken leg in a collision with teammate Ken Norton Jr. It was an injury so severe that it required a metal rod to be inserted into his tibia. Some wondered if that meant the end of the star defender's career. The next season, Young recorded 11 sacks while starting all 16 games, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
No 49ers player has won the team's prestigious Len Eshmont Award more than Young, who was honored eight times as the recipient (1998-2000, 2004-07). The annual award is presented to the player who best exemplifies the "inspirational and courageous play" of Len Eshmont—a player from the original 1946 49ers team.
Young's 208 game appearances are tied for the third-most in franchise history and the most among 49ers defensive linemen.
The others to be inducted into the Class of 2022 are offensive tackle Tony Boselli, receiver Cliff Branch, safety LeRoy Butler, official Art McNally, linebacker Sam Mills, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and coach Dick Vermeil.
