I couldn’t agree with you more. I just returned from a 3-day evaluation at the Amen Clinic in New Port Beach, CA, with my wife and 10-year-old son, Jack, on Wednesday, 10/20/09. I had to fight with The Travelers – the 49′er’s Work Comp carrier – for 3 months to get myself approved and finally convinced them my wife needed to attend to bring the Doctors up to speed on what I am like, as I can’t remember what I did this morning – much less 14 years ago when we first got married!

I developed hydrocephalus (water on the brain) during my second season with the 49′ers in 1981 and underwent emergency brain surgery early in the season to have a VP shunt installed. That shunt drains spinal fluid from my brain to my abdomen.

I have since had 8 shunt revisions (brain surgeries), with up to 14-day stays in ICU for each, in addition to several grand mal seizures over the years. My evaluation by Dr Amen shows major deficiencies in several areas of my brain, and Dr. Amen had me rated at 80 % disabled (I’m a wildlife biologist and own – or am a partner – in 4 different enterprises). It’s getting increasingly harder for me to function on a daily basis, and I feel compelled to get my story out WHILE I am still can. I’m sure there are hundreds if not thousands of voiceless brothers like me out there. Despite all of this I have received a total of ZERO from the NFLPA, as the vast majority of us old warriors have.

It’s time we pooled our strengths and took these crooks to task. What they’ve been getting away with for years is CRIMINAL, and they should be held LIABLE for all the pain and suffering our brothers and families have faced for decades.

George Visger
San Francisco 49′ers 1980 & 1981

This is in contrast to Brent Boyd’s case, where the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the retirement board did not abuse their discretion in denying his case: “What is transparent from the record is that the cause of Boyd’s disability is far from clear. That is, the evidence can reasonably be interpreted to conclude that Boyd’s disability either is or is not linked to his football career.” Like any disability case, you can’t just allege a problem and present a possible cause, you need proof.

So, how all the information that is coming out will affect older retirees is up in the air. However, it should be of benefit to many guys if we can improve the disability plan to remove the 15 year limitation for football degenerative benefits, and remove the retirement board’s discretionary authority so that cases which are appealed to the Courts can be adjudicated on a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.

John Hogan
Disability Attorney

My name is Scott Bolzan and I played in the NFL for only 3 seasons but here is my story. I thought it would interest you. I also serve as the membership director for the NFL Alumni AZ chapter.

Here are some links to news articles about me. Please feel free to contact me.

ABC News on August 20, 2009
http://tinyurl.com/yd7cqun

East Valley Tribune August 16, 2009
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/143079

“THE FORGOTTEN”
THE MAN OF 46 YEARS WHOSE LIFE WAS DELETED

Scott Bolzan unfolds a compelling, inspirational and courageous journey through his life. He shares his drive to overcome obstacles with his ingrained values and learned discipline. With a “never give up” attitude Scott has persevered through the loss of his first daughter, drug addiction of his son, career defeats and challenges as an NFL player, pilot and owner/entrepreneur of a successful private aviation company and a devastating brain injury with profound memory loss. Hear how a man maintains a marriage of 25+ years while remaining fully engaged in the lives of his two children, successfully balancing career endeavors in light of adversity. With a strong emphasis on “family first”, Scott exhibits outstanding strength to move forward through extraordinary life challenges…

Scott Bolzan
Cleveland Browns

While the PA and the league dance around the issue, current and former players are suffering. As I have begun to put together a coaching enterprise aimed at helping our youth, current and retired players, I was fortunate enough to run across a process that could shed some light on what is happening with players suffering from concussions. I went through a process called brain-mapping and found some very revealing things about my brain and some of my personal issues. There is a solution as well as some education on the matter of concussions. Neurofeedback will help with the healing, I have been informed. I have added it to my business plan and will periodically keep everyone updated as I learn more and become more educated about it.

Seth Joyner
1986 – 1998
Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals,
Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos

As more and more facts become available, the league will be forced to address these serious and life-changing injuries.

Furthermore, the current disability system for disabled players is illegal and violates ERISA Law. The League will not take responsibility for the serious neck, back, knee, shoulder, etc. injuries sustained on their own football fields.

The current programs in place to address these injuries are gibberish and whitewash in an effort to mislead Congress. I know because I’ve tried to access them and they’re ALL a waste of time.

If the NFL doesn’t recognize these injuries, how are we to expect them to recognize head injuries and repeated concussions?

Three things that will help change this rampant dishonesty:

1) Bad publicity;
2) Congress; and
3) Court of Law.

The NFL is drowning in money but they have ruthlessly disowned the retired players who are the makers of the game.

Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear