TAMPA, Fla. -- A harsh dose of reality was injected into the festive atmosphere of the Super Bowl this morning when about three dozen retired players met with the media to promote the Gridiron Greats, an organization that provides financial assistance to retired NFL players who left the game with serious injuries.Everyone who follows football knows that players often leave the game with permanent disabilities, and that even the lucky ones can usually point to a knee, hip, elbow or shoulder that bears surgical scars and still causes them pain. But seeing all these former players gathered in one room brought the point home: At one point during the press conference, the ex-players were asked if they were in physical pain just sitting there. Almost all of them said they were.
Ickey Woods, the former Bengals running back, could barely get out of his chair when he stood to introduce himself. Woods is only 42 years old and only played in the NFL for four years, but those four years took a toll on his knees.
Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end turned Super Bowl-winning coach turned TV commentator, is on the Gridiron Greats' Board of Directors and has been the public face of the organization, and he said today that it's long past time for the league and the players' union to increase the benefits to the generation of players who built the league.
"When we joined these teams we were told we were part of a family," Ditka said. "You don't treat family that way."
Michael Irvin, the former Cowboys receiver, is active in fundraising for the Gridiron Greats, and he says when he watches games he cringes at the thought of today's players ending up with long-term adverse health effects from injuries suffered on the field. Irvin pointed to Ravens running back Willis McGahee being knocked unconscious during the AFC Championship Game.
"McGahee's a young player," Irvin said. "And we will not know for years how that hit truly affected him."
The retired players from earlier generations know all too well what a toll those hits can take.
Shocking Super Bowl Moments
The Raiders' John Matuszak volunteered to be the unofficial team watchdog and keep everyone in line before Super Bowl XV. One of the nights, the DE was spotted on Bourbon Street in New Orleans at 4AM. He was fined $1,000. The Super Bowl winner's share in those days was $18,000.
Dave Cross, WireImage.com
Packers WR Max McGee was in bed for the 11PM bed check, but then hit the town until stumbling in the lobby at 7:30AM on gameday. McGee went out to catch two touchdowns. Later he said, ''I was in no condition to play a ballgame. I could barely stand up for kickoff."
NFL / WireImage.com
To this day, the Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team ever to pull off a perfect season -- despite Garo Yepremian's best efforts. After a field goal was blocked, the kicker grabbed the ball and tried to pass it to no one, but the Redskins returned it for a score.
Neil Leifer, Sports Illustrated
Cowboys linebacker Thomas ''Hollywood'' Henderson claims to have played in Super Bowl XIII while carrying an inhaler full of cocaine in his uniform. Knowing Hollywood's history of living life in the fast lane during that time, there's little doubt he was telling it straight.
AP
NBC reported five days before Super Bowl IV that Len Dawson would be among several players summoned to testify in a federal gambling probe. How did the QB react? He leads the Chiefs to the win and gets the MVP nod.
Darryl Norenberg / NFL
Super Bowl XIII wasn't very memorable for Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith. Down 21-14 to the Steelers, Roger Staubach dropped back and found an open Smith. Smith somehow dropped the ball and Dallas lost by four.
Focus on Sport / Getty Images
Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who was was never one to hide his opinion of the media and wore a T-shirt that read "Patriots Suck," dropped his pants at the practice field, mooning a helicopter that flew overhead.
Bettmann / Corbis
In one weekend, the Falcons' Eugene Robinson (right) was given the Bart Starr Award (an award marking "high moral character", was arrested for solicitation of a prostitute (was an undercover cop) and burned for an 80-yard TD.
Elise Amendola, AP
Ray Lewis of the Ravens pleaded down from murder charges as the result of a brawl at a post-Super Bowl party in 2000 where two men were killed.
Kim Smith, AFP / Getty Images
Raiders center Barrett Robbins (center) missed Super Bowl XXXVII after he apparently quit taking his depression medication and went on a drinking binge.
Amy Sancetta, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-29-2009 @ 1:47PM
Mike said...
It's sad to think of Ickey, the guy best known for his dance, now barely able to stand up. These guys put their lives on the line for our enjoyment. More should be done for them.
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1-29-2009 @ 2:04PM
JJ The Third said...
For our enjoyment? I'm thinking they do it for money and/or their own enjoyment, with all due respect to us fans. It's part of the game -- live the big life, make the big bucks, suffer later in life. I do agree that they need to be taken care of to some degree, though...yeah.
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1-29-2009 @ 2:31PM
trimel 0106 said...
It's sad to see great players forgotten like they were trash,something has to be done. There is to much money in the nfl for them not to get help.The nfl's power that be should be held responable.
Reply