OWINGS MILLS -- The NFL is finally starting to get serious about assisting the tired, the ailing and the tragically disabled
No, it's not another admirable outreach with the United Way.This is a series of new initiatives designed to assist broken-down retired players in desperate need of medical care. Guys like retired Baltimore Colts legendary tight end John Mackey, who suffers from acute dementia.
At the league meetings in Nashville, Tenn., NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that: "All of us in the NFL want to help former players that now find themselves in need of medical care through no fault of their own. We are trying to determine how we can creatively approach the medical issues of former players and guarantee their access to high-quality medical care at reasonable cost.
"In January, the league was rightfully embarrassed by an outcry from retired players who complained that the NFL wasn't doing nearly enough to help them with their inadequate pensions and disability payments. Plus, there have been several disturbing revelations on HBO's "Real Sports," detailing the plight of retired football players.
Many of them are in wheelchairs. Some of them no longer remember their families or their football-playing days due to severe brain damage.One nearly disabled tough guy, Conrad "They Call Me Dirty" Dobler, said if his standard of living decreases any further, he'll seriously contemplate ending it all with a gunshot to the head.
Grimly, Dobler said, "They shoot horses, don't they?"
So, the NFL has formed an alliance with the NFL Players Association, NFL Retired Players Association, NFL Alumni Association, NFL charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Just as important, the league is going to require neuropsychological baseline testing for all players starting this year. There will also be a whistle blower system to allow anonymous reporting from doctors being pressured to clear players back onto the field following a concussion or players with concussions being pressured to play by the team.This is likely a direct response to former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson's controversial situation where he claims he was forced back onto the field by Patriots coach Bill Belichick shortly after suffering a debilitating concussion.
Is the NFL doing enough? Probably not. Especially in terms of helping guys out with financial problems who are unable to work due to permanent disability.At least the league is beginning to wake up, though. They really needed to.Especially in light of the death of former Philadelphia Eagles safety Andre Waters, whose history of concussions allegedly played a role in his depression that prompted him to commit suicide.
The league needs to take part openly in a study of deceased players' brains, a ground-breaking medical research project that could save lives.I met Waters when I was a rookie sportswriter in Brooksville, Fla., interviewing him at the football camp of his late, former All-Pro teammate, Jerome Brown.Although Waters had an intimidating reputation on the field and was dubbed "Dirty Waters" as a renowned cheap-shot artist, he was a very nice guy away from football who was just getting into coaching when I met him.
It's a real shame to see what happens to these football heroes when they can no longer run, block or tackle.Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott reflected on the sad state of affairs at a voluntary minicamp Tuesday.
"Wow, these guys are the guys who laid the foundation," Scott said. "It's because of those guys that I'm able to sit here and make the type of living that I make. I feel bad for those guys, anyone who has bled for this game or this league who's doing bad now.
"A lot of those guys are Hall of Famers and great players who put a lot on the line for us and for this league when it wasn't the most popular league in the country. I hope we can get something done to assist those guys in whatever way we can."
No, it's not another admirable outreach with the United Way.This is a series of new initiatives designed to assist broken-down retired players in desperate need of medical care. Guys like retired Baltimore Colts legendary tight end John Mackey, who suffers from acute dementia.
At the league meetings in Nashville, Tenn., NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that: "All of us in the NFL want to help former players that now find themselves in need of medical care through no fault of their own. We are trying to determine how we can creatively approach the medical issues of former players and guarantee their access to high-quality medical care at reasonable cost.
"In January, the league was rightfully embarrassed by an outcry from retired players who complained that the NFL wasn't doing nearly enough to help them with their inadequate pensions and disability payments. Plus, there have been several disturbing revelations on HBO's "Real Sports," detailing the plight of retired football players.
Many of them are in wheelchairs. Some of them no longer remember their families or their football-playing days due to severe brain damage.One nearly disabled tough guy, Conrad "They Call Me Dirty" Dobler, said if his standard of living decreases any further, he'll seriously contemplate ending it all with a gunshot to the head.
Grimly, Dobler said, "They shoot horses, don't they?"
So, the NFL has formed an alliance with the NFL Players Association, NFL Retired Players Association, NFL Alumni Association, NFL charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Just as important, the league is going to require neuropsychological baseline testing for all players starting this year. There will also be a whistle blower system to allow anonymous reporting from doctors being pressured to clear players back onto the field following a concussion or players with concussions being pressured to play by the team.This is likely a direct response to former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson's controversial situation where he claims he was forced back onto the field by Patriots coach Bill Belichick shortly after suffering a debilitating concussion.
Is the NFL doing enough? Probably not. Especially in terms of helping guys out with financial problems who are unable to work due to permanent disability.At least the league is beginning to wake up, though. They really needed to.Especially in light of the death of former Philadelphia Eagles safety Andre Waters, whose history of concussions allegedly played a role in his depression that prompted him to commit suicide.
The league needs to take part openly in a study of deceased players' brains, a ground-breaking medical research project that could save lives.I met Waters when I was a rookie sportswriter in Brooksville, Fla., interviewing him at the football camp of his late, former All-Pro teammate, Jerome Brown.Although Waters had an intimidating reputation on the field and was dubbed "Dirty Waters" as a renowned cheap-shot artist, he was a very nice guy away from football who was just getting into coaching when I met him.
It's a real shame to see what happens to these football heroes when they can no longer run, block or tackle.Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott reflected on the sad state of affairs at a voluntary minicamp Tuesday.
"Wow, these guys are the guys who laid the foundation," Scott said. "It's because of those guys that I'm able to sit here and make the type of living that I make. I feel bad for those guys, anyone who has bled for this game or this league who's doing bad now.
"A lot of those guys are Hall of Famers and great players who put a lot on the line for us and for this league when it wasn't the most popular league in the country. I hope we can get something done to assist those guys in whatever way we can."
Labels: It's About Time
posted by at 9:09 AM
3 Comments:
You aren't kidding with your title! It is about time. Bruce Laird and his colleagues deserve kudos for their efforts. They have been ambassadors for disabled veteran players that needed and still need their help. Good for them. Thanks for posting this topic Aaron.
11:24 AM
I read Tony's blog on a similar topic (I don't think he likes Upshaw) but I think he's friendly with Laird and the Unitas family so I get it. And he does have a point.
But this piece Aaron, nicely ties together old school and a new age player with an old school mentality -- Bart Scott. More of the new age players should follow Bart's lead. What a refreshing player to hear from while we are pummelled with losers like Tank Johnson, Mike Vick, Pacman and half the Bengals' team.
10:03 PM
Bart Scott is rapidly ascending to the top of my list of favorite Ravens while the list itself grows. Between participating in the OTA's and supporting the game's greats, he might be No. 57 on the scorecard but soon he'll be No. 1 in the hearts of ravens fans.
5:37 PM
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