41.   The Vikings played without starting QB Brad Johnson, who underwent season-ending neck surgery.

42.   While Austin is trying to return to active competition from his neck surgery, he is at least a few months away from getting in the ring.

43.   Wide receiver Ike Hilliard is out for the season after neck surgery.

44.   Wide receiver Ike Hilliard returned to practice with the first-string offense Tuesday for the first time since his neck fusion surgery eight months ago.

45.   President Fidel Ramos checked out of the hospital Thursday after completing medical tests following neck surgery to remove a life-threatening blockage in an artery to his brain.

46.   Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chris Conrad is retiring, opting not to have neck surgery to repair several damaged discs.

47.   And he did it without Sterling Sharpe, who was cut after requiring neck surgery that could end his career.

48.   He played both guard positions and was pressed into duty as the starting center at midseason after Mike Gruttadauria underwent neck surgery.

49.   He developed the idea of single-stage rehabilitation after extensive head and neck surgery.

50.   He underwent mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the field and then had neck surgery, and while the prognosis is good for recovery, his career appears to be over.