Word comes from Steve Young’s brother Hank that Steve was taken off the respirator yesterday and has been breathing on his own for a full 24 hours. Though he needs occasional infusions of oxygen through a mask, no further intubation is anticipated.

He is also able to talk, though disoriented from his long period of heavy sedation.

His family is hopeful that by week’s end, if his progress continues satisfactorily, he could be moved out of intensive care and into a regular hospital room at Hopkins to continue convalescing.

Finally, some news that allows all of us to be hopeful.