Hollywood Henderson’s Ideas for Retired Players
Without a doubt, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson has had a remarkable life, both inside and outside of football. His life is as much about the resilience of the human spirit as it is about second chances. I recently talked with him about some of the latest things that have been unfolding, including the Commissioner’s meeting down in Dallas and the ongoing battle for just treatment for the retired players. (You can read his earlier comments by clicking HERE.) He also sent me an open letter to the NFLPA’s Sarah Gaunt and all those are supposed to be involved with the welfare of retired players. Here’s his proposal in its entirety:
FROM: Mr. Thomas Henderson
Austin, TX 78767
TO: Ms. Sarah Gaunt
NFL Owners
NFLPA
Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan
RE: A RECOMMENDATION
Some Retired and Vested Players are having serious living problems that are not necessarily through any fault of the NFL. The problems include – but are not limited to – old age, disabilities, addictions, divorces, legal issues, social, employment, homelessness, bankruptcy, etc.
Many years ago, the Screen Actors Guild and The American Federation of Radio and Television established a retirement home for its aging and sick union members. The NFL and NFLPA should seriously consider building a Retreat Center for retired players and for players in short term crisis. Not because you need to, but because you can. Many retired players who don’t adjust well after they leave the game sometimes find themselves unemployed, bankrupt, divorced, homeless, alcoholics, addicted and mentally and physically ill.
A long-term and short-term retreat and resource facility would go a long way to support and take care of our own. I propose a 100-bed campus where our men can come to find solutions to their maladies. A place to start over or live if need be. This facility should be located near a metropolitan City so Medical and other services are available.
It should also have acreage and open spaces, fifty to one hundred acres. For less than $20 million, we could easily build a state-of-the-art Human Resource and Temporary Living Center for retired players to provide access to services, hope, readjustment and shelter.
This concept is not a flophouse. This will primarily be a resource center for accessing medical, mental, social and economic issues and finding solutions for each individual retired player.
With the help of a staff of Social Workers, Counselors, Doctors and Therapists, we could help our men toward good productive lives. There will be some who might live there permanently while others might stay 60 to 90 days.
I’ve been clean and sober for 25 Years now. I will gladly be a Consultant to assist with Alcohol and Drug Addicted Retired Players.
The media and some retired players have slammed the NFL and NFLPA for Retired Player Problems. There is some misplaced blame. The fact is some guys make mistakes and bad decisions. While this center will not solve every problem, it will surely help our men. Currently, some of our men have nowhere to go. It will surely be a place where current players and coaches can visit old teammates and support the program.
It should be fully funded by the NFL and NFLPA. It is not always the NFL’s fault that men fall on hard times. I do believe that we shouldn’t be in denial that many retired players need a new start. From providing physicals to assessments of each individual’s needs could be part of the the model. Temporary housing and referral programs could help these men with jobs and social adjustments.
The Mission of this Center:
- Short and Long Term Living
- Physicals, Assessments and Employment Referral Services
- Assistance with Benefits that a Player is eligible for, including Social Security.
- Social Services Education
- Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
- Exercise Programs
- Physical Therapy and Outpatient Care
- Spiritual Wellness
- Counseling and Group Sessions
- Locker Room atmosphere.
- Friends and Family Friendly
(This list can be subject to changes and suggestions.)
Our Pension is rich. It’s time to invest in a Wellness and Adjustment Center to assist our retired and vested men. Going forward it’s the right thing to do.
There could also be a yearly fundraiser at the facility so the NFL Family can come and pay respects to its men. I believe many of our men who are in their late 60′s, 70′s and even 80′s may choose to live at this center. They would come out of their isolation and be among other men who played the game. A 100-bed facility would be my recommendation and 50 for permanent residents.
If these men have income a portion should be paid to the center as is common with most nursing and care facilities.
I hope someone smarter than me will give this more thought and come to the same conclusion I did: “We don’t have to do this but we should.” This will go a long way to shut up critics and help many NFL men for years to come.
Thomas ” Hollywood” Henderson