New York Times
January 22, 2010
January 22, 2010
Jerry Eckwood, a former Buccaneers running back, had help filling out paperwork before being evaluated by Dr. Allen Sills.
Before Dementia Assistance, Help With N.F.L. Application
By Alan Schwarz
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The meaty right hand that once plowed footballs past oncoming linebackers cradled the pen as it negotiated the form. When it paused in confusion, another hand — all but a stranger’s — hovered in to assist.
“Are you my representative?” Jerry Eckwood asked.
“Don’t worry about that,” Mitchell Welch replied.
They hoped the worry was ending on Monday, when Welch picked up Eckwood from his personal-care bungalow outside Nashville, drove him to a neurosurgeon and helped him complete an application for the 88 Plan. Since 2007, the 88 Plan — jointly run by the N.F.L. and the players union — has spent about $7 million to reimburse some medical expenses of former players with dementia. But as the industry begins to recognize the cognitive damage in many retired players, concerns linger that scores of eligible veterans are either unaware of the 88 Plan or too impaired to apply.
While vilifying the league’s approach to concussions and overall player safety before the House Judiciary Committee in October, Gay Culverhouse, the former president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, promised to set up an organization to seek out former players in need, arrange their doctors visits and help complete the paperwork. Her vow became vision when the fledgling Gay Culverhouse Player Outreach Program sent Welch to assist Jerry Eckwood.
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