Bengals Kicker reaches out to alumni with health care services

July 9, 2009

from Chuck Ludwig/Dayton Daily News

Bengals Kicker Shayne Graham

Bengals Kicker Shayne Graham

It won’t be decided until late this year, but Cincinnati Bengals placekicker Shayne Graham deserves the 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,

Through his foundation, Graham is providing all former NFL players and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area — and their spouses — a free package of health services, which include:

• A comprehensive health screening.

• Follow-up health coaching.

• A membership to a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The Shayne Graham Foundation has chosen Mercy Health Partners to provide the health care services.

Former Bengal Anthony Munoz

Former Bengal Anthony Munoz

Graham and former Bengals Anthony Munoz and Jim Breech will announce the program at a Wednesday, July 15, news conference.

Then the trio will greet former players and their spouses at a reception at the Mercy Fairfield HealthPlex at 6:30 p.m. that day.

At the reception, Bengals alumni will get more details about the health screenings and be able to schedule them. They’ll also be able to sign up for HealthPlex membership and take a tour of the Mercy Fairfield HealthPlex. Mercy also has HealthPlexes in Anderson and Western Hills.

Mercy-affiliated physicians, personal training staff and health coaches will also be on hand to answers questions.

IN SHAYNE GRAHAM’S WORDS:

“Like most current players in the National Football League, I consider myself fortunate to have had a range of opportunities made available to me. I realize, however, that none of this would have been possible without the work and sacrifice of former players and coaches such as you who have paved the way for whatever success I and many others have enjoyed.

“Because of the debt I owe to retired players and coaches, I want to give something to all former NFL players and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area. Through my foundation, we are going to provide you and your spouse a free package of health services which could prove life-saving.

“Remember — all of this is provided to you at no cost by my foundation. It’s my way of saying thanks to all that you have meant to the game.”

For more information on the Shayne Graham Foundation, go to:

http://www.shaynegraham.com/index.php

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Irv Cross Named Rozelle Award Winner

July 8, 2009

from ProFootballHOF.com

July 7, 2009

Irv Cross is the 2009 recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, it was announced today. The award, given annually by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizes “long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”

Cross was an NFL analyst and commentator for CBS Sports from 1971, when he became the first African American sports analyst on national television, to 1994, including anchoring the Emmy-Award-winning The NFL Today from its inception in 1975 through 1989. Besides football, Irv covered a variety of sports for CBS, including track and field, gymnastics and the NBA.

A native of Hammond, Indiana, Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Always a student of the game, Cross earned a starter’s berth midway through his rookie season. The following year he recorded a career-high five interceptions. In 1966, following two Pro Bowl seasons with the Eagles, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Then in 1969, he returned to the Eagles and became a player/coach. He retired as a player in 1970 and became an assistant coach for the Eagles.

“I always enjoyed thinking about football, thinking about strategies, coming up with ways to break offenses and design defensive concepts,” Cross recalled about his career in the NFL. “That’s always been a real exciting thing for me to do. So with that job, I was able to do that as well as do contracts with some of the guys who were lower-round draft choices. READ MORE

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Ravens Birk: “Current Players Have Remedy for Retirees”

July 6, 2009

Former Vikings and current Raven Matt Birk has been one of the most outspoken proponents of improved pensions and benefits for retired NFL players. Birk’s support has not only come in the way of words but also his pocket book. He’s been the organizer of a campaign in which current players donate a game check to Gridiron Greats for retirees in dire need.

Filling in for the vacationing Peter King of SI.com, Birk took the opportunity to share his thoughts on retired players in the weekly “Monday Morning QB” column (Read it HERE). In the column Birk asks a great questioning the ‘on-again, off-again’ retirement of Brett Favre.  “Playing in the NFL is a pretty good gig. We get to play a great game in a great league with die-hard fans, and the pay ain’t too shabby. As a whole, I think players today are pretty lucky.

However, it’s disturbing to me how the players of previous generations are being treated. The men that came before us built this game into the multi-billion dollar business it is today. Thousands of players fought for a lot of the things today’s players enjoy — free agency, top-notch medical treatment and million-dollar contracts, to name a few. Some of these guys jeopardized their own careers by going on strike, knowing they wouldn’t be the ones to reap the benefits of their personal and professional sacrifices.”

“I have seen these guys with my own eyes and heard their stories with my own ears. You might not read about this very often, but this problem is real. When I entered the NFL in 1998, I was told the league was a brotherhood. Once you were in, it was forever. It’s time we stand up for our brothers who don’t have a voice. I really like playing football for a living and I am grateful for the players who paved the way. Giving more to former players who did so much for us is the right thing to do.”

“The NFLPA wants the money to go to current players because football salaries already lag behind their baseball and basketball counterparts, for which the NFLPA catches heat. So, if this problem is going to be remedied it’s going to have to come from the current players.”

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Happy Independence Day

July 4, 2009
Arlington National Cemetery©2009 Destination360

Arlington National Cemetery©2009 Destination360

As we pause for a couple of day’s to celebrate our country’s independence we’re reminded that this holiday means much more than the 4th of July. It means much more than a single day on the calendar. As we look around the world many citizens of foreign countries are fighting for their independence to live in a free and democratic society. We’re reminded of the sacrifice of thousands of young men and women who have laid down their lives so we can celebrate around the pool and barbecues this weekend without the fear of being attacked. Of those many thousands, several former NFL players and coaches gave up the game for a greater cause…serving their country and paying the ultimate sacrifice. So as we celebrate our nation’s 233rd birthday this weekend, let’s pause and take a moment to remember the service of ALL those who lost their life fighting for our freedoms and recognize the 26 who had NFL ties.

WORLD WAR II
  • Cpl. Mike Basca (HB, Philadelphia, 1941) – Killed in France in 1944
  • Lt. Charlie Behan (E, Detroit, 1942) – Killed on Okinawa in 1945
  • Maj. Keith Birlem (E, Cardinals-Washington, 1939) – Killed trying to land combat-damaged bomber in England in 1943
  • Lt. Al Blozis (T, Giants, 1942-1944) – Killed in France, 1945
  • Lt. Chuck Braidwood (E, Portsmouth-Cleveland-Cardinals-Cincinnati, 1930-1933) – Member of Red Cross. Killed in South Pacific, winter 1944-1945
  • Lt. Young Bussey (QB, Bears, 1940-1941) – Killed in Philippines landing assault in 1944
  • Lt. Jack Chevigny (Coach, Cardinals, 1932) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945
  • Capt. Ed Doyle (E, Frankford-Pottsville, 1924-1925) – Killed during North Africa invasion in 1942
  • Lt. Col. Grassy Hinton (B, Staten Island, 1932) – Killed in plane crash in East Indies in 1944
  • Capt. Smiley Johnson (G, Green Bay, 1940-1941) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945
  • Lt. Eddie Kahn (G, Boston/Washington, 1935-1937) – Died from wounds suffered during Leyte invasion in 1945
  • Sgt. Alex Ketzko (T, Detroit, 1943) – Killed in France in 1944
  • Capt. Lee Kizzire (FB, Detroit, 1937) – Shot down near New Guinea in 1943
  • Lt. Jack Lummus (E, Giants, 1941) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945
  • Bob Mackert (T, Rochester Jeffersons, 1925)
  • Frank Maher (B, Pittsburgh-Cleveland Rams, 1941)
  • Pvt. Jim Mooney (E-G-FB, Newark-Brooklyn-Cincinnati-St. Louis-Cardinals, 1930-1937) – Killed by sniper in France in 1944
  • Lt. John O’Keefe (Front office, Philadelphia) – Killed flying a patrol mission in Panama Canal Zone
  • Chief Spec. Gus Sonnenberg (B, Buffalo-Columbus-Detroit-Providence, 1923-1928, 1930) – Died of illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1944
  • Lt. Len Supulski (E, Philadelphia, 1942) – Killed in plane crash in Nebraska in 1944
  • Lt. Don Wemple (E, Brooklyn, 1941) – Killed in plane crash in India in 1944
  • Lt. Chet Wetterlund (HB, Cardinals-Detroit, 1942) – Killed in plane crash off New Jersey coast in 1944
  • Capt. Waddy Young (E, Brooklyn, 1939-1940) – Killed in plane crash following first B-29 raid on Tokyo in 1945
VIETNAM
  • Lt. Bob Kalsu (G, Buffalo, 1968) – Killed in an attack while defending Base Ripcord on July 21, 1970
  • Maj. Don Steinbrunner (T, Cleveland Browns, 1953) – Shot down over Kontum, South Vietnam on July 20, 1967
AFGHANISTAN
  • Cpl. Pat Tillman (DB, Arizona, 1998-2001) – Killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004

*Names courtesy of NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Herb Adderley: From the heart

July 1, 2009
Herb Adderley

Herb Adderley

Hall of Famer Herb Adderley’s commitment to his former teammates has never been questioned. Since his playing days Herb has been one of the strongest voices for solutions to issues related to retired players. While much of his work has been behind the scenes, Herb’s most notable advocacy was serving as the class representative  for over 2,000 former players in Adderley v. NFLPA, which resulted in a $28.1M verdict that was later settled for $26.1M. Because of Herb’s dedication to protecting football’s past, many of you will soon be receiving your portion of this settlement.

With that said, you can understand our deep apprececiation when Herb sent the following e-mail to his good friend Fourth and Goal and NFL Alumni Board Member Jerry Kramer. Herb has graciously approved our sharing his e-mail below.

JK-64,

The struggle for better benefits, and better treament towards the retired guys is not about me JK,… It`s about ALL of the retired guys, especially the 2062 guys who are involved in the Historic lawsuit… I am about bringing PEACE, and Reconciliation with the current guys so that we can all come under one roof… That being the NFL Alumni Association in Ft. Lauderdale… I read where you are on the board with 4th & Goal, and that`s a good thing with Bruce Laird… I met Bruce, and was in his company a few times during the trial in San Francisco, & during the HBO interview for the Braynt Gumbel show… He has proven to me that he`s about helping, and bringing ALL of the retired guys together, therefore, I am with him, and 4th & Goal 100%… You guys can count on my support in any way that I can help the cause… I am also convinced that De Smith is a honest, and sincere man… It was a pleasure to meet him during the press conference in DC on June 5th announcing the settlement of the Historic lawsuit… He`s about ALL of us, and he will speak for the retired guys if given the chance by the organized group in Florida… I believe that he will improve the benefits for us in the near future… With De, the current players, and the commissioner agreeing to listen to, and do something about the issues, is great for ALL of us…De understands that there is a huge market for the retired guys, and when we ALL come together under one roof, some nice pay days could happen from the marketing opportunities… The use of the NFL Shield, along with the contributions from the owners, and the NFLPA will help us to get things started… Without the use of the NFL Shield, and money donated by the owners, and the NFLPA it will be very difficult for the different groups of retired guys to succeed… The guys need to understand that ” TOGETHER WE STAND, & DIVIDED WE FALL “.

Stay Well, and In Touch, Love you man !!

Herbie #26

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Smith uses trading cards to connect present with past

June 30, 2009
DeMaurice Smith

DeMaurice Smith

#NFL

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has spent the last month and a half jetting across the country speaking to union members in all 32 NFL cities. On Sunday Smith was in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida to address the 256 drafted rookies at the Rookie Symposium. As Vic Carucci of NFL.com reports, Smith took his opportunity in front of the future NFL stars to remind them of the past and encourage them to be the leaders of the future. According to Carucci, Smith handed out trading cards of former players and urged the rookies to read the biographical information that included flaws (”they’re not all perfect, because you’re not perfect”) as well as successes. He reminded them that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the AFL and remember those who paved the way for the popularity of today’s players.

“The fundamental truth of progress is that we only surpass history when we embrace it,” Smith said. “Mature thought is a thought where we now understand not only what we do and who we are, but where we are and where we exist in the world.”

“If you let people define you as just a player, I guarantee you one thing: You will lose. So who are you? You’re fathers, you’re sons, you’re brothers, you’re husbands. Hamlet talked about that famous question: What is it to be? If you remember any part of that soliloquy, the answer to his question was the question itself. It was an understanding of who he was in relation to the world in which he lived. He was a brother, he was father, he was husband, he was a son. That’s who you are.”

“There are a number of things that we tend to mix it up about,” Smith said. “But when it comes time to be concerned about the men of the National Football League, I know that both myself and (Commissioner) Roger Goodell share the same feeling that we care about one thing: The health, the safety, the welfare of the men who play this sport.”

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Separating Fact from Fiction: NFL Supreme Court Action Does NOT Affect Retired Players

June 29, 2009

Many retired players received an e-mail this morning that stated the NFL’s petition of the Supreme Court would stop any future legal action on behalf of retired players. We’re not sure how the authors of these claims came to this conclusion but we’ll give them credit for their unbelievable ability to spin any news coming out of the NFL and NFLPA to bolster their efforts of dividing retired players. What’s next? Will they claim Commissioner Goodell’s upcoming hike up Mt. Rainier for charity is actually for a meeting with the late Gene Upshaw to hammer out details of a new CBA? We wouldn’t be surprised. The level of innuendo and falsehoods coming from the dividers do not surprise us anymore.

Below are facts, not fiction related to the case.

The petition of the Supreme Court relates to American Needle Inc.’s challenge to the league’s exclusive contract for selling headwear such as caps and hats with team logos on them. It should be noted that American Needle Inc. has petitioned the court for a ruling also. It’s not a secret that team owners want the courts to issue a ruling that would insulate them from frivolous lawsuits from those vendors like American Needle, not retired players.

The central theme of this case is whether the NFL’s teams constitute 32 distinct businesses or a single entity that can act collectively without violating antitrust law.

Both the NBA and NHL have field friend-of-the-court briefs siding with the NFL on this case.

The NFL’s argument in this case is that “Member clubs of the NFL have no independent value, no purpose, indeed no meaningful reason for existence but for their participation in the league itself.”

Below are the links to the petitions and the 7th Court of Appeals ruling. Please review them and form your own opinions. Don’t let innuendo and scare tactics filled with fictitious claims and no solutions continue to divide retired players.

NFL’s Supreme Court Writ

7th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling

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William Perry:Larger than Life

June 28, 2009

by Bob Gillespie/TheState.com #NFL

Daryl Perry always will wonder what might have happened if he had not decided to drop in on his brother, William, that afternoon in early April.

The two men live perhaps nine miles apart in their hometown of Aiken. In fact, most of the 10 surviving Perry siblings — Freddie and Vivian died in recent years — live near one another and their widowed 82-year-old father, Hollie.

It is a close family, emotionally as well as in physical proximity. But its members also believe in giving one another their space. Still, Daryl knew that Perry — aka “The Fridge,” the larger-than-life former football player who 25 years ago starred at Clemson and then with the Chicago Bears — had not been feeling well.

In June 2008, Perry was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a chronic inflammation of the peripheral nerves that causes muscle weakness and even paralysis. He was hospitalized for five months, and the condition still sometimes was taking its toll on him.

“We’d all go out and check on him,” Daryl said of Perry, 46. “It was just a drop-by to visit. I didn’t expect what I found.”

Daryl discovered Perry lying in bed, dehydrated and weak. “I was talking to him, but he seemed so out of it, he wasn’t responding,” he said. “He had a dazed look on his face.

“We decided then to call the paramedics.” READ MORE

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More calls for current players to force change to Pre-’93 benefits

June 28, 2009
Robert Jackson

Robert Jackson

In an interview with the Grand Rapids Press, former Cincinnati Bengal Robert Jackson became the latest in a list of hundreds to call on current players to improve the benefits of those who played before 1993. Jackson who is about to be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame said most current players do not realize the financial and physical conditions of the pre-93’s.

“These older players didn’t come anywhere close to making the money the modern-day NFL warriors pocket. They don’t have the financial resources to pay for their assorted medical bills as a result of football-related injuries,” said Jackson.

“And they don’t even enjoy a proper living because they do not receive proper funds through the NFL Players Association union.”

“We didn’t make the $5 million or more a season,” Jackson said. “In 1988, I asked for $1.2 million over three seasons, and the Bengals offered no more than $200,000 a year.

“I’m not jealous of today’s players. I’m happy they can walk (via free agency) and go to another team to make more money and have a better opportunity to win championships. I just wish a lot more of the NFL guys would realize that it was the Dick LeBeaus, Earl Campbells, Kenny Rileys and (Dick) “Night Train” Lanes who sacrificed to allow today’s players to get what they get.

“Don’t forget them. Don’t be selfish, which so many of today’s players are. I know the NFL is a business, but if you’re making $5 million, why can’t you give some of that back through the players union to help those past players who helped them?”

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Board Member Profile: Harry Carson

June 23, 2009

Second in a series Part 1: Daryl Johnston

Harry Carson

Harry Carson

Fourth and Goal Board of Directors
NFL Alumni Board of Directors

Harry Carson’s 13-year stint with the New York Football Giants is one of the longest tenures in club history. The indestructible former linebacker served as Team Captain for 10 of his 13 seasons including the 1986 season when the Giants defeated the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. Rated the #1 “Inside Linebacker” in NFL history according to Pro Football Weekly, Carson was named to the All-Rookie Team after his first NFL season. Subsequently, during his NFL career, he was named to the All-NFL Team 7 times, the All-NFC Team 8 times, and NFC Linebacker of the Year twice. He once made an amazing 25 tackles in a Monday Night Football Game against the Green Bay Packers. With performances like that he was selected by his peers to play in the NFC-AFC Pro Bowl 9 times and is among the top 250 players to ever play in the National Football League.

Carson set the pace for his remarkable career while a student at Wilson Senior High and McClenaghan High Schools in Florence, South Carolina. There he served as Senior Class President, Co-Chairman of the school’s Bi-Racial Committee and ROTC Commander. He went on to South Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. The two-time Captain never missed a game during his four seasons as a defensive lineman for the Bulldogs, of which he had 114 tackles and 17 quarterback sacks in his senior year alone. During his college football career, Harry received honors for the Kodak All-American Football Team, NAIA All-American Team, Pittsburgh Courier All-American Team, All-State (South Carolina), All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and MEAC Defensive Player of the Year twice. He excelled off the field academically as well, winning awards for the highest academic average amongst Black College All-Americans. READ MORE ON HARRY CARSON

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