PITTSBURGH -- College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett says he wouldn't discourage young players from taking up the game even as he battles brain disease.

The 1976 Heisman Trophy winner was diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy within the last year. The 61-year-old said yesterday that his situation is "frustrating" but that his goal is to "stay in the fight, fight as long as I can and if I can beat it, beat it."

Dorsett said he has good days and bad days but remains upbeat. He refuses to place blame on the game itself, saying there are many football players who enjoyed long careers and never dealt with repetitive head trauma issues. He added if he had a child who wanted to play today, he would "be right there behind him 100 percent.'' -- AP