Mark Bavaro doesn't see a way the game can be made less physical unless they return to the days without helmets and face masks, where players would be completely discouraged from leading with their heads.

But amid a continued push to decrease the long-term effects of head injuries, he sees a safer version of football, at least. Something far different than what he knew 20 years ago.

During a brief session with reporters at the Yankees' Pinstripe Bowl charity golf outing in Monroe Township Tuesday, he shared a cautionary story from the 1990-91 NFC Championship game.

Kicker Matt Bahr sustained a concussion earlier during a tackle on a kickoff. By the time he trotted out for the game-winning kick, he needed assistance and was not entirely sure of his location.

"Matt Bahr, when he kicked the winning field goal against San Francisco in 1990, I don't think he knew where he was," Bavaro said. "He'd tackled somebody on a kickoff return earlier in the game and he was kind of out of it.

"Steve DeOssie had to kind of, actually, guide him on the field and line it up. But you know, that was regular stuff back then. Matt was a great guy, a tough guy, and we certainly appreciated him coming out and doing that for us. But I don't think that stuff happens today."

Bavaro said he's just a fan now and allows his son, a linebacker, to play football even though he doesn't see anything changing.

"I don't know that you can make it less physical, it's football. I think you'd have to do away with the sport. I don't think that's going to happen," he said. "I certainly wouldn't want to see it happen."

Here's a video of Bahr's game-winning kick.