Current NFLer reaches out to his predecessors

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Shayne Graham is starting a program to provide free health care services to retired NFL players. You can read an article about it at http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090715/SPT02/307140077/1066/Graham+reaches+out+to+players with an excerpt provided below.

(Excerpt)

Graham reaches out to players

By Joe Reedy, jreedy@enquirer.com

FAIRFIELD – Bengals kicker Shayne Graham is launching what is believed to be the first program by a current player to help retired NFL players address their medical needs.

Through the Shayne Graham Foundation and Mercy Health Partners, former players and coaches will be provided with a free package of health-care services.

The issue has gone national in recent years following reports of former players seeing delays in getting medical claims processed and approved.

Graham was joined at a presentation on Wednesday at the Mercy HealthPlex in Fairfield by two former Bengals, Hall of Fame offensive lineman Anthony Munoz, and kicker Jim Breech.

“It’s kind of a combination of something I’ve thought about for a long time and that is to give something meaningful to all the former NFL players and coaches and their spouses in the area,” Graham said.

“Players do not have the health benefits to take care of the many health issues that everyone will face, not to mention when you have a brutal NFL career that wears and tears on your body and mind.

“I’m here to say and show what they meant to the game. I saw that it was a real opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life.”

Breech and Munoz have been working on this issue for more than two years, and said they encountered their share of roadblocks until Graham and his foundation came aboard.