Looking back, Young, who once collected his uncashed 49er paychecks in a drawer because cashing them translated into more pressure in his mind, says, "There is tremendous satisfaction in facing fears and succeeding. It was anxiety I couldn't control. Its seeds were in childhood. I wouldn't sleep over at a friend's house; I wouldn't go to school. It manifested itself in football — it was performance anxiety. In 18 years in the pros it never went away. Plus, I knew what Montana did" as a great 49ers quarterback, "and I knew Mormons were watching me, and I wanted to represent them. I took all that on. I'm grateful for it in many ways. I don't fear anything now."

His marital status was mixed in there with the football anxieties. It took him nearly two decades to get married, and it ate at him. Holidays were the worst. While spending the Christmas of 1999 in Connecticut with his family, he told his mother, "I'm not doing this again. It's just too hard (not having a family). I just can't do this another year."

He met Barb a short time later. He married in March 2000 at the age of 38 and retired from football a few months later, closing one chapter and opening another one, nice and neat.

"He is where he should have been all along," says Herrmann, who recently spent a weekend with the Youngs. "He is as happy as can be. You can't get more involved as a dad. He's involved in every aspect. He's 'Mister Mom.' "

"He loves his life," says Sherry, emphasizing each word. "It is wonderful. He's relaxed and happy. His anxiety for his wife and children have taken over his anxiety. He's gotten over himself. It's amazing what he can handle and not be stressed. Somehow, having to think of these other people, he doesn't think as much about himself. He doesn't worry.

"He's always loved his brothers and sister, but now he shows it. He's not so paranoid. He'll call and say, 'I love you, Mom.' He really enjoys being around family. He couldn't do that before because he wanted a family. He was hard to be around because he just wasn't happy. He would worry too much about himself and his life."

While making his NFL Hall of Fame acceptance speech in Canton, Ohio, last year, Young discussed his new life.

". . .For me, it will never again be third and 10 late in the fourth quarter down by four at Candlestick Park," he said. "Nothing in life can be like those great moments. But with those experiences then and all the other good things that happened, life today is even better. With my wife, Barb, and my two sons, Braedon and Jackson, I have found the secret to life: Loving others more than yourself."

With Barb weeping in the audience, he said, "I sincerely love my family and know that being a Hall of Fame husband and dad is what will eventually define my life."

Bill Walsh, the legendary coach, was so moved by Young's comments that he said, "I'd love to have it on tape to show to high school teams, college teams and professional teams."

Sitting in a golf cart, waiting for the next foursome, Young reflects on his current life.