We’re ALL Going to Super Bowl! NOT!
Like most of you, I received an e-mail this morning from Dana at the NFL’s Player Care Foundation announcing their Super Bowl Health Screening Event scheduled for New Orleans at the end of this month just before the big game. We’re attaching a copy of the e-mail and announcement below (just click on the image to enlarge in another window for easier reading). And my response follows:
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Dear Dana,
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Will the Player Care Foundation provide transportation and other related travel expenses for retired players? The vast majority of retired players – especially pre-1993 players – are not in any position to pay for the expense of going to your free health screening during Super Bowl. Do you have any idea how much airplane tickets, hotel and food will cost during Super Bowl?
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In light of the recent findings in Junior Seau’s brain disease (click here: Junior Seau had brain disease CTE) has the Player Care Foundation ever considered a Neuropsychological evaluation by a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Ph.D.? This test along with a memory assessment evaluation would be very meaningful. I have had both of these tests and they were very revealing for my condition of repeated blows to the head.
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As a pre-1993 player, we never made big money (click here: My 1975 Contract with The Colts) and I personally have spent over $600,000 of my own money (my family’s money) on injuries I received from playing football in the NFL). So attending this screening is unrealistic for me personally.
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Please feel free to respond.
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Best,
Dave Pear
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Dave Pear
January 12th, 2013 at 10:33 am #
Dana,
I forgot the price (and availability) of tickets to the Super Bowl. How much are tickets?
Maybe Gene Upshaw would provide a couple of his tickets to a former teammate who participated in this game with him (me).
Remember: We’re family, aren’t we?
Dave Pear
Tony Allevato
January 12th, 2013 at 1:36 pm #
Dave,
I totally agree! Why can’t they provide these services throughout the season in each NFL city? That would certainly help all of us who can’t afford to travel. Great response on your behalf.
Regards
Tony Allevato
Detroit Lions-1985
Oakland Invaders-1982-1984
Faith Erickson
January 12th, 2013 at 1:46 pm #
WOW! is right…
And our Prayers continue for Gail Cogdill. Please consider donating to his stem cell fund. Click HERE to read about Gail’s story on Gridiron Greats and to donate.
Faith Erickson
Gregory Primus
January 12th, 2013 at 2:35 pm #
As former NFL player and now practicing sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, I appreciate taking advantage of this opportunity to shed more light on mental health, and even encouraging adding a battery of neuropsychological tests to over all “health screening.” It is a good start, however, that they are offering lectures on brain health. In terms of complaints of accessibility, I think we all know and realize that the benefit of this program is for players that will be in the area. This is a great program for those players who can take advantage, even though there will be many that can’t. As for me, who will not be traveling to New Orleans and involved in this year’s Super Bowl activities, I take no issue with the program and can only wish that the athletes that will be down there take full advantage.
Gregory Primus
Chicago Bears
1994 – 1995
Gregg Bingham
January 15th, 2013 at 10:58 pm #
Is this from the same “Dana” that I corresponded with at the NFL office in order to try to get access to the 88 Plan benefits for my “non-insurance covered” rehab expenses of 10 weeks (5 of which were in a coma) of $35,000 after my brain “blew up” 3 years ago (my insurance did pay several hundred thousand for my surgeries)?
Between the $15,000 in deductibles and co-pays added to the $35,000 for the 10 weeks of rehab which the insurance company squirmed out of by saying it was out of network. I was out $50,000 in total and according to the verbage of the 88 Plan, I would no doubt qualify for a one-time payment. BUT NOPE, said Dana. If it is her, forget about any help there as it looks like it’s the old “delay, deny and hope they die” strategy of yesteryear.
Gregg Bingham
Houston Oilers
1973 – 1984