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There are a lot of people that love going to NFL football games, me included.
But we don't always think about what NFL football does to the body and mind of the players.
The present day player and the NFL really needs to do something for the NFL players of old.
Walt
JS Online: Getting plenty of care
Getting plenty of care
Health issues have hit Packers legend Wood
By DON WALKER
dwalker@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 12, 2008
Jerry Kramer recalled Ray Nitschke's words about Willie Wood.
"Nitschke used to say he wasn't scared of (Vince) Lombardi," Kramer said. "He said he was scared of Willie."
Wood, Nitschke said, had "mean eyes."
They were eyes that helped put the safety into the National Football League Hall of Fame.
Bart Starr said he will always remember the fierce competitiveness Wood brought to football.
"He was a walk-on in college and a free agent in the pros and he went on to the Hall of Fame," Starr said during a recent Milwaukee visit. Motioning with his arms, Starr said Wood went from "down there to up here in orbit. Incredible."
Today, Wood, at age 71, lives in an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C. He has had a host of physical problems, sits in a wheelchair and suffers from dementia.
"He has good days and bad days," said Robert Schmidt, a longtime friend who also acts as Wood's guardian. "It's the best place for Willie right now. Willie is a social animal. We could have Willie at home, but it would be the classic home-alone situation, which would not be good for him."
This weekend in suburban Washington, a number of old-timers from the Packers, including Paul Hornung, Carroll Dale, Boyd Dowler, Herb Adderley and Dave Robinson, will gather for a card show. On Friday, the group plans to visit Wood and give him support and encouragement.
Pension in good shape
Unlike many NFL retirees, Wood was careful about his pension, though in recent years he has been given assistance by several groups that have sprung up to help struggling NFL retirees.
Last year, a new program was put in place that provides up to $88,000 a year from the NFL and the union to help with the care of players who have dementia or other brain problems. Wood has qualified for the program, Schmidt said.
"The bottom line is Willie is not going to lose his home," Schmidt said. "His financial situation is reasonably secure."
Schmidt said he noticed Wood beginning to deteriorate mentally about four years ago.
Multiple ailments
According to Schmidt, Wood's health problems are many. Two knee replacements, both hips replaced. And in November 2006, Wood fell at home.
He hasn't been back home since.
"He can be home theoretically, but it's best for him to be at the home, because it's more of a social setting for him," Schmidt said.
Joe Johnson, another friend who visits with Wood frequently, admitted Wood has lapses in memory.
"If you ask Willie about something that happened in the Super Bowl, he can tell you what it is," Johnson said. "If you ask him what color is the shirt he wore yesterday, he won't remember. He's very conversant, he's the same Willie he has always been. But he's not the same guy from 1963 or 1964."
Game part of problem
Asked if Wood's mental issues are related to a life of playing football, Johnson didn't hesitate.
"I believe he thinks everything that is wrong with him is related to football," Johnson said.
The NFL has been studying the effects of concussions and other serious brain injuries for more than 14 years. In a game of collisions, skilled positions like running backs and defensive backs like Wood can get hit a lot.
"Willie was a bring-it kind of guy," Kramer said of Wood's style.
Wood played his entire career with the Packers after being signed as a free agent in 1960. Over 12 seasons from 1960-1971, he had 48 career interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns.
In the first Super Bowl, Wood returned an interception for 50 yards. In 1961, he led the NFL in punt returns. The next year, he led the league in interceptions.
Now he lives out his days in Washington. But Schmidt and Johnson say they will always look after Wood.
"My wife says to me, 'You spend more time with Willie than you do with us,' " Schmidt said. "I know Willie would do the same for me."
But we don't always think about what NFL football does to the body and mind of the players.
The present day player and the NFL really needs to do something for the NFL players of old.
Walt
JS Online: Getting plenty of care
Getting plenty of care
Health issues have hit Packers legend Wood
By DON WALKER
dwalker@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 12, 2008
Jerry Kramer recalled Ray Nitschke's words about Willie Wood.
"Nitschke used to say he wasn't scared of (Vince) Lombardi," Kramer said. "He said he was scared of Willie."
Wood, Nitschke said, had "mean eyes."
They were eyes that helped put the safety into the National Football League Hall of Fame.
Bart Starr said he will always remember the fierce competitiveness Wood brought to football.
"He was a walk-on in college and a free agent in the pros and he went on to the Hall of Fame," Starr said during a recent Milwaukee visit. Motioning with his arms, Starr said Wood went from "down there to up here in orbit. Incredible."
Today, Wood, at age 71, lives in an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C. He has had a host of physical problems, sits in a wheelchair and suffers from dementia.
"He has good days and bad days," said Robert Schmidt, a longtime friend who also acts as Wood's guardian. "It's the best place for Willie right now. Willie is a social animal. We could have Willie at home, but it would be the classic home-alone situation, which would not be good for him."
This weekend in suburban Washington, a number of old-timers from the Packers, including Paul Hornung, Carroll Dale, Boyd Dowler, Herb Adderley and Dave Robinson, will gather for a card show. On Friday, the group plans to visit Wood and give him support and encouragement.
Pension in good shape
Unlike many NFL retirees, Wood was careful about his pension, though in recent years he has been given assistance by several groups that have sprung up to help struggling NFL retirees.
Last year, a new program was put in place that provides up to $88,000 a year from the NFL and the union to help with the care of players who have dementia or other brain problems. Wood has qualified for the program, Schmidt said.
"The bottom line is Willie is not going to lose his home," Schmidt said. "His financial situation is reasonably secure."
Schmidt said he noticed Wood beginning to deteriorate mentally about four years ago.
Multiple ailments
According to Schmidt, Wood's health problems are many. Two knee replacements, both hips replaced. And in November 2006, Wood fell at home.
He hasn't been back home since.
"He can be home theoretically, but it's best for him to be at the home, because it's more of a social setting for him," Schmidt said.
Joe Johnson, another friend who visits with Wood frequently, admitted Wood has lapses in memory.
"If you ask Willie about something that happened in the Super Bowl, he can tell you what it is," Johnson said. "If you ask him what color is the shirt he wore yesterday, he won't remember. He's very conversant, he's the same Willie he has always been. But he's not the same guy from 1963 or 1964."
Game part of problem
Asked if Wood's mental issues are related to a life of playing football, Johnson didn't hesitate.
"I believe he thinks everything that is wrong with him is related to football," Johnson said.
The NFL has been studying the effects of concussions and other serious brain injuries for more than 14 years. In a game of collisions, skilled positions like running backs and defensive backs like Wood can get hit a lot.
"Willie was a bring-it kind of guy," Kramer said of Wood's style.
Wood played his entire career with the Packers after being signed as a free agent in 1960. Over 12 seasons from 1960-1971, he had 48 career interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns.
In the first Super Bowl, Wood returned an interception for 50 yards. In 1961, he led the NFL in punt returns. The next year, he led the league in interceptions.
Now he lives out his days in Washington. But Schmidt and Johnson say they will always look after Wood.
"My wife says to me, 'You spend more time with Willie than you do with us,' " Schmidt said. "I know Willie would do the same for me."