Ralph Heywood is the only known former professional football player to have served in the military during three wars.
The 1943 All-American at the University of Southern California served in World War II, played four seasons of professional football, including two years with the Detroit Lions, before re-enlisting in the Marines, where he spent 32 years in which he fought in Korea and Vietnam.
After serving his country valiantly, Heywood spent the final years of his life in destitute. Heywood died on April 10 at age 85 after a long battle with Alzheimer?s. The highcost of medical care forced he and his wife, Suzie, to sell their home and live in a horse trailer in Kerrville, Texas.
The Heywoods? story is one former Baltimore Colts like Bruce Laird and Tom Matte would like to prevent in the future. They took a step toward that when they announced Baltimore Football Club Inc. raised more than $100,000 to help retired football players through its salute to the Baltimore Colts? Hall of Fame defensive end Art Donovan, an event held Thursday at Martin?s West in Woodlawn.
“The players from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s made the game,” said Matte, a former running back. “The players today are the benefactors from that. We?ve got to reach back and help those players who need it the most.”
The event for Donovan is the latest response by a group of former NFL players frustrated with how the league and the NFL Players Association assist those players who need medical, financial and other care stemming from debilitating injuries sustained during their NFL careers.
“We have to create public awareness to the issues facing some of the retired players, the hardships they face and the injuries they deal with,” retired Baltimore Colts quarterback Bert Jones said.
The event in Woodlawn came two days after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw and six retired players testified during a U.S. Senate hearing on the league?s cumbersome disability process.
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure, who is active in several organizations that assist retired players, said drastic change will only occur if all factions fighting for the cause unite.
“Everyone wants the same thing and that?s to help people in need,” DeLamielleure said. “While I think Roger Goodell is a good person and wants change, I don?t trust Upshaw. I know the league is not legally obligated to do more, but there is a moral obligation to do so. It was also once illegal for blacks to drink from the same water fountain as white, but the law was changed because it was morally wrong.”
