NFL Forms Alliance to Coordinate Medical Assistance for Retired Players
The NFL and its related organizations have agreed to work together to support former players in need of medical care. Commissioner Goodell informed NFL clubs at the Spring Meetings in Nashville this week that the NFL, NFL Players Association, NFL Retired Players Association, NFL Alumni Association, NFL Charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame will form the first-ever alliance to coordinate medical support services for former players in need of medical care. The Commissioner said:
“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. Several NFL-related groups have been working independently over the years to provide medical assistance, but now we will work together to identify and help players more effectively in a common effort. We are seeking to determine how we can creatively approach the medical issues of former players and guarantee their access to high-quality medical care at a reasonable cost. This is principally directed toward those who are in dire need or can’t afford the proper kind of care.”
Harold Henderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of labor relations, who will serve as the lead executive in this new initiative, added:
“Everyone wants to do the right thing to help former players with medical needs. We want to do it in a coordinated, structured fashion. There have been ongoing discussions with Gene Upshaw (executive director of the NFLPA), and I know he sees this as a high priority.”
Among the ideas being discussed are:
- Better identification of players who need assistance and making the system more efficient so that help can be delivered to these players.
- Arrangements with facilities in different areas of the country where former players can obtain high-quality care at a reasonable cost.
- Collaborating with outside service groups to provide players with education and guidance on obtaining medical care at reasonable costs that would expand access to care for retired players.
- Ensuring availability of affordable assisted living facilities for former players.
Former NFL players who want to support these efforts will have the opportunity to contribute to their former teammates by participating in fund-raising efforts, including golf tournaments and online auctions. The distribution of funds for medical needs will be managed by representatives of the participating groups.
The 88 Plan, named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey, is an example of one such fund that was created as part of the extended Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and its players in 2006. Former players in various stages of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, may receive as much as $88,000 annually to assist in their medical care. In recent weeks, the NFL office has spoken to Sam Huff and Jack Kemp and several other former players and the New York Jets’ Curtis Martin for their views on how to address these medical issues in the most effective way.
More than 900 former players and/or their families have received financial help in recent years from either the NFLPA’s Players Assistance Trust or the NFL Alumni Association’s Dire Need Fund. In addition, 284 former players are receiving disability payments which total $19 million this year, including some that receive as much as $224,000 annually.
When I last spoke with Pro Football Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea about retired players, he described even the Hall of Famers as the “forgotten few.” And remember, these guys didn’t even come close to making the kind of money the players are making today. Granted, it was a totally different era, but they most likely don’t have millions socked away in their bank accounts. It’s not just a nice thing to do — to help these retired players — but imperative to help those who helped shape the history of this great game. Because without their contributions, we wouldn’t have the great sport of professional football we have today.
Tags: NFL, NFL-Alumni-Association, NFLPARelated Stories
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2 opinions for NFL Forms Alliance to Coordinate Medical Assistance for Retired Players
srey
May 15, 2008 at 3:49 pm
i think it’s great that the current players are contributing to the retired players. some of the ex players are in need of financial and medical. some of these guys are in their 40’s and 50’s but are in bad health. my husband have problems with his back, elbows, knees, and sleep apnea due to his chronic pain. he looks like he is in his 90’s. i wish that these guys could get medical coverage for a physical exam.
mike kennedy
Jun 18, 2008 at 10:37 pm
hey my name is mike kennedy my father
who is also Mike kennedy is a retired NFL football player of two years i understand that two years is not that long but he is 50 this year and about 6 months ago he’s back gave out and he could not more for two days when the situation worsened he had to be rushed to the hospital and was give a shot in his back i know this may be a problem among several americans the doctor told my father that he has the back of an almost 70 year old man. also he’s knees are very weak, along with his shoulders Another thing is that after his football career ended he told up a blue collar job and is an independent business distributor for pepperage farm he does physical work every day without holidays unless he hires someone else to do it. he never ask for anything but i can see the wear and tear he has gone though. i am asking where can i maybe get some help for him is there any organization that could help. in order for him to have gotten financial help he had to play for 4 seasons and i know this but if there is some organizations that could help please contact me
mikeken843@live.com
thank you so much
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