Article published May 31, 2007
The Associated Press
ADVERTISEMENT
Gene Upshaw was taken aback when he first saw the list of retired NFL players applying for financial help under a new program to help those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
"I played with or against quite a few of these guys," the executive director of the NFL players' union said Wednesday. "I knew one or two were having problems, but I never knew the extent."
Upshaw, a Hall of Fame guard for the Raiders in 1968-82, is one of four people being honored tonight by the Alzheimer's Association of New York for helping start the "88" plan. It provides up to $88,000 from the NFL and the union to help with the care of players afflicted with dementia or related brain problems.
Since the plan took effect Feb. 1, 35 retired players have been approved for aid, with 19 more applications pending. The NFL said 103 potential candidates for aid have been identified.
The "88" is the number of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, one of the first former players who qualified.
No comments:
Post a Comment