Denial is NOT a River in Egypt
So here we are well into our third year with Dave’s Blog. When Dave first decided to document and present his experiences in dealing with his life after football, we had no idea just how many people wanted to read his story or how many – or how few – other retired players were suffering the same fate.
.
Over these past couple of years, we discovered there were a lot of different but similar accounts of all the ways that retired football players have been denied their earned benefits. Just when you thought you’d heard it all, a new one comes along.
.
This past weekend, we read a post on the National Football Post about Conrad Dobler’s most recent struggles to survive after 30 surgeries – including 10 knee replacements – all while still looking after his wife, Joy, who has been a quadriplegic since 2001. (Read the article – click HERE.)
.
And last week, we received a letter from Larry Kaminski expressing his personal frustrations in trying to navigate the archaic disability application process for his disability benefits. We’re posting Larry’s letter below. We have several more stories that have come in just recently - watch for them over the next week .
.
===========================================
.
May 23, 2010
.
TO: NFL Retirement Disability Committee
.
Gentlemen:
.
A few years ago I filed for NFL disability. I received a letter denying my request. I was told I did not meet the criteria of the panel. I was never contacted by a panel member, a medical doctor or a medical consultant. As many told me, the NFL really does not care and won’t help you based on other players trying to accomplish the same thing. I have given this a lot of thought and it is simply unacceptable and wrong. I am going to make the request again. I just want a logical explanation to why I am refused disability when I can prove my eight years in the League created my health issues. I want you to tell me so I can let Rep. Linda Sanchez know what you have to say, as well as other members of the political body governing your monopolistic powers.
.
The SSA gave me disability two years ago. I had knee, back, hands, shoulder and emotional issues.
.
1. I had my first heart attack at 48. I had a another a year later where double bypass was performed at the Cleveland Clinic. The doctors noticed that my arteries and veins were mushy. Can we attribute this problem from the non-prescribed steroids given to me by the Bronco medical team in 1966-67? I have had two more episodes of myocardial infarction and went in ventricular tachycardia in 2003 which required an ICD.
.
2. Several years after my retirement from the Broncos, I noticed that my ring and little finger were going numb. My hand was starting to wither. I went to see an orthopedic doctor in Steamboat Springs who found that the bone chips from my elbow severed the nerve in my arm controlling my hand. I had surgery and the nerve was repaired and moved. Where did I get these bone chips? I can remember when artificial turf came about, especially in the Astrodome where my elbows would be swollen after the game. Being a center, I was limited in the protection I could put on my arms. That hand is weak and useless in cold weather.
.
3. I have arthritis in my back. Dr. Caine from West Sound Orthopedics told me that he could not believe anyone would allow a back to become so problematic. I had to retire from the Broncos because the prognosis from back pain, numbness in my legs, and continued ham string issues was an operation or injections of discase (meat tenderizer), so I retired from the Broncos before the next season. My back to this day is stiff and I walk like the crooked man after any activity.
.
4. I have experienced up and down emotional issues for many years. Sad, happy, angry, volatile, withdrawal and unhappiness. Why? I saw doctors provided by the Bronco PAF. I was put on meds which made me non-functional. I dealt with it as best I could. However, I began to drink quite a bit because I felt less tormented and anger. It seemed to settle me down and let me be happy. I had to give up my position of owner manager of my family business because of irrational behavior. I moved to the NW.
.
5. Two years ago I got into trouble over excess drinking. I entered into a alcohol program 20 months ago. Since then I have still have had the mood swings. I heard about brain injury from various studies made by medical people on football players, wrestlers, and other impact sports. I decide to take advantage of a program that was presented at the Independent players meeting. I attended The Amen clinic where I was given cognitive tests as well as brain scans. My cognitive skills were good; however, I do have injury to my temporal lobes which can cause the issues I deal with. I played in the 60’s and 70’s. For those of you old enough to identify with that era, the head was the main weapon we used to block and tackle.” Keep your head up and stick it there. Put a shot on the guy with your bonnet. Watch Birdwell’s head slap. Don’t try to block his hands or you’ll get called for extending you arms.” None of you had to experience drinking a milkshake for a day or so after the games. It was almost impossible to bite down because of an aching jaw.
.
I have told my story. You – whoever you are – continue to tell me that it is not an NFL problem. I am not some mooch looking for a hand out or bum as Drew Brees referred to regarding the older players. I want explanations so we can help those that are in desperate need now. I was twice nominated as the NFL Man of the Year for the Broncos. I did a lot of community work speaking to over 40,000 kids in a program I had sponsored called Broncos in Action. I helped the Phipps brothers raise money for the expansion of the stadium so they could remain in Denver. I am a graduate of Purdue University with a BS from the highly recognized school of Industrial Management (economics and marketing). I had to stop doing what I enjoyed post-football because my body and especially my behavior created problems. I just want to know why you turned your back on me. Oh, I was told it was because I took my pension early. If you remember, the NFLPA did a study on our life expectancy: It was 55. It almost worked because I should have died at 48.
.
Just give us some answers. I will share them with people who have a concern on this issue. I gave 8 hard years as a very good player and outstanding rep for the NFL. Don’t throw me in the depreciated trash heap of football machinery.
.
I thank you, whoever you are, for your time and consideration.
.
Larry Kaminski
Denver Broncos 1966-1973
All AFL 1967
Man of year Elect NFL
Game Captain elect
.
CC: John Conyers Jr., US Congress
Linda Sanchez, US Congress
Maxine Waters, US Congress
Rick Tellander, Chicago Sun Times
DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA
.
Dave Pear
June 30th, 2010 at 10:16 am #
Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith continue to demonstrate their lack of integrity towards retired NFL players. They both keep following in the footsteps of former NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw!
Rhetoric is ALL retired players continue to receive from the NFLPA and the NFL. ALL we have ever wanted is what we are owed by the League. We’ve been forced to become debt collectors.
The NFLPA, NFL and BP Oil (in the Gulf of Mexico) continue to conduct themselves the same way. There is no transparency and by their greedy actions, false promises are what they continue to deliver.
We will press on until we’re vindicated and receive justice from a League that continues to swindle retired players and their families over earned disability benefits and pensions that amount to maybe a couple of hundred dollars a month.
The rift continues to grow!
Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear
Walt "Flea" Roberts
June 30th, 2010 at 3:03 pm #
Few Americans know that BP (British Petroleum) also owns the controlling stake in the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Hence, few Americans know about the plight of retired NFL players.
It has been twenty years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska and many of the claimants have yet to be paid. Many have died and will have no justice… Sound familiar?
Walt “Flea” Roberts
Cleveland Browns NFL champs 1964 (’65 & ’66)
New Orleans Saints 1967
Washington Redskins 1969 & 1970
Larry Kaminski
July 1st, 2010 at 7:57 pm #
Dave:
I read with interest the latest article on the post mortem results from the dissection of former Cincy NFL WR Chris Henry’s brain. It was revealed that he had CTE. This would be a reason for his behavior issues. This finding is consistent with the UNC study, Amen Clinics and several other studies looking at this serious issue.
I can’t believe the followup editorial in the New York Times by a columnist who seems to dispute the CTE argument! He uses a quote from the new head of the NFL head trauma group stating that this CTE finding in Henry really can’t be relevant. I also was embarrassed by the statement that, to me, was racist and profiling when the writer suggested that the behavior of ball players is a result of just being bad apples and not tied to head injuries. He compares all of us who have issues to QB’s Montana and Young. The article states that they also had head injuries but are normal people who do TV and if they were effected by brain trauma, they’d be announcing from a cell block.
How many people read this and look at us as just dumb complainers? I’m appalled that The Times would insult so many people with this type of journalism.
Enough is enough.
Larry K
Denver Broncos
1966 – 1973
Dave Pear
July 1st, 2010 at 9:46 pm #
Larry,
The venomous tongue and deep-seated ill will from the NFL towards injured retired players continues to expose who they really are. They’re skilled in underhanded and evil schemes. Retired players will not acquiesce to their crafty acts.
We must continue to make their outrageous fraud transparent despite their brazen audacity.
Larry, we appreciate your courage in telling your story even as we continue to hear from other retired players who also have been left in a lurch by these GREEDY impostors better known as the NFL.
Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear
Charles Bowser
July 20th, 2010 at 12:40 pm #
Hi Dave,
I see that you were receiving early retirement benefits and later awarded inactive T&P disability $40k in 2009. I’m also a former player in the same situation as you, was awarded inactive $40k but it was reduced 25% because I received early retirement benefits.
I’m confused by this one?
Sincerely,
Charles Bowser
Miami Dolphins
1982- 1986
John Hogan
July 21st, 2010 at 12:36 pm #
Charles -
Did you happen to take an advance at one point earlier – a one-time payment against your pension before you were eligible to receive monthly benefits? This is different than taking your pension early – i.e. starting to receive your monthly benefits on an on-going basis.
John Hogan
Disability Attorney