Former offensive lineman Conrad Dobler was considered one of the dirtiest players in the game during an All-Pro career that included stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills from 1972-81.
That approach to the game eventually caught up with the now 56-year-old Dobler, who has had nearly a dozen knee operations and requires pain medication to get through the day. While his doctors labeled him as 90 percent disabled, he has had more than his fair share of trouble trying to qualify for disability under the NFL?s retirement plan.
Dobler?s story is just one of many coming from retired players who are having difficulty looking for assistance dealing with the financial burden stemming from medical care associated with injuries dating back to their playing days.
Ravens kicker and player?s association representative Matt Stover said he understands the plight of some of these former players and believes change needs to take place. But at the same time, he admits there are no easy answers.
“The disability plan does need to be improved because it seems like most people have to be confined to a wheelchair to qualify,” Stover said. “But, there is a process in place and we are working toward improving that process.”
In the meantime, Stover said players in need should look into programs such as the NFLPA?s Player Assistance Fund, which provides emergency grants to players in dire situations.
NFLPA director of communications Carl Francis said many players aren?t aware of such programs, while the union is unaware of others who may be too proud to ask for help.
“We do have programs that are not well publicized, but no former NFL player should ever lose their home to foreclosure or miss an operation or surgery, because there is money for that,” said Jean Fugett, president of the retired players? steering committee while speaking recently to a group of former Baltimore Colts.
But, Francis said that process gets hampered at times when retired players from various team alumni groups don?t work with or communicate properly with the union. Former Colts like Bruce Laird and Tom Matte have been outspoken critics of the union and NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw for not doing enough to help retired players.
“What the NFLPA and Gene Upshaw want to do now is make available programs better,” Francis said.
Tired of watching retired players in need go through what they consider a cumbersome process, a number of former players established a non-profit group designed to provide immediate help to those who need it the most and immediately.
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund ? founded by former Green Bay Packer Jerry Kramer ? provides medical and social services assistance to retired players and their immediate families.
“Our original thought was to provide immediate help and hopefully the system would be to the point where there wouldn?t be a need for our organization three to five years from now,” said former Packer Willie Davis, a member of the fund?s board of directors. “Now we realize that was wishful thinking.”
