I have often wondered about this little talked about issue within the NFL. How long can a human being be pounded (and give out poundings) week in and week out for years – essentially being subjected to a car accident every week – before they begin to show permanant damage and pain reaction? Howie Long just mentioned it this week on Fox NFL Sunday when discussing the difference between the 4-3 and the 3-4 defense when he asked (I believe it was Michael Strahan), “How many surgeries have you had?” Strahan answered something like 6. And Howie replied, “I have had 11 surgeries.”

Based on the story of how long you played (5 years), it sounds like you fell short of an NFL pension to boot? Hope this gets more big press.

Best of luck to you and your family.

Dave Hartel

As you know from conversations we’ve had, I’ve developed one of the only protocols for concussions in the country. For the past three years, we have successfully worked with concussed athletes from high schools and colleges and have seen remarkable results. I’ve approached NFL teams, universities, and concussion experts, all to no avail. So the questions is – How do we get our concussion protocol to the players that need it?

Reminds me of a quote from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – “I’ve got vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals.”

Ted Neff
Edmonds Wellness
EdmondsWellness1@aol.com

Tekk Amaku

I am interested in Plan 88 and the fact that they are considering terminating it. Don Doll has been a participant in this program for almost 2 years. I knew that he had memory problems years ago, but I participated in studies from Universities about concussions and I filled out the forms. When Plan 88 went into effect, Don was available because of these studies.

Also, our old-timers actively fought for benefits. They paid their own way and were persistent in getting help for the pre-59′ers. I might add that players have to be personally responsible for their own well-being. If they have head problems, they should retire. Once you’ve had one, the chances of another are great. It even takes less of a collision.

Thanks for your advocacy.

Diana Doll
for Don Doll
4-time Pro Bowler
Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins & LA Rams
1949 – 1954

Bob Grant
Retired Player Activist and Advocate

Thank you for speaking up on behalf of your former teammate Mike Webster.

The NFL and Commissioner Goodell will only do what they’re forced to do when it comes to injuries for the players.

By their actions, they despise the retired players with their malicious attitude and sinister objective.

Please continue to speak up for ALL players because active players will soon be retired players and they too will have NO representation unless things change.

Commissioner Goodell – no more phony programs!

Sincerely,
Dave & Heidi Pear

You have done so much just in the last several months to make your readers aware of the issues we former players face with the NFL Management group. However, while we carry on with all this articulation, positioning and discussion, we have so many players suffering today. We don’t know if they will be here after all this brainstorming comes to fruition. It is daily suffering for them and their loved ones.

I feel ashamed for these people who feel they can just talk the problem away every day. When any of this NFL Management group have an illness, they just go to their medical people and ask for immediate attention. I’m sure they’re attended to with no worry of payment. I would like to ask them to put the shoe on the other foot. How would this elite group feel if they were pushed to the side until a discussion and prognosis was made in several years?

Keep up the great work and pressure.

Thanks,
Larry K.
Denver Broncos
1966 – 1973