NFL Retired Player News August 2013

Dear Retired Player:

It’s THAT time of the year again!

We are heading to Canton, Ohio tomorrow for the Golden Anniversary Reunion at the Pro Football Hall of Fame which this summer includes the induction of seven new Hall members Saturday night and the nationally televised preseason opener Sunday night between the Cowboys and Dolphins (NBC 8:00 p.m. ET).

The Pro Football Hall of Fame was dedicated September 7, 1963.

More than 125 Hall of Famers are expected to be on hand when the Class of 2013 – Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson,and Warren Sapp – are formally enshrined. It is a class that brings back memories of Coach Lombardi, whom Robinson played linebacker for in those first two Super Bowl wins, and Hank Stram, who was head coach when Culp arrived as a defensive tackle in Kansas City. The Class also includes Ogden, the first player drafted by the Ravens in 1996 and who becomes the youngest enshrinee ever at the time of his induction (39 years and three days).

(L-R) Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Chris Carter, former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, and former Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen talk football after the announcement designating all four players as the new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2013 Class of Enshrinees at the media center in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the week of NFL Super Bowl XLVII on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

A full slate of 16 preseason games will be played August 8-11 and then we’ll go right through until Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014.

Also, a reminder: if you have any questions about your retiree benefits, the best number to dial for information is 1-800-635-4625.

Finally, our Player Engagement Department here at the league office provides guidance, assistance and resources for retired players. Former Pro Bowler Troy Vincent and his Player Engagement staff are available by calling them at 1-855-473-2472. Information regarding their programs can be found at www.nflplayerengagement.com.

Enjoy the remainder of the summer.

Regards,

Joe Browne
Senior Advisor to the Commissioner

Seven Clubs Hosting Alumni Events in August

Seven NFL clubs are holding events and reunions for their player alumni during August, including the Carolina Panthers which are owned by former Baltimore Colts receiver Jerry Richardson.

Other teams also have special days planned for the regular season which kicks off on September 5.

A list of the special Alumni Days for August (the email address for the team’s alumni contact also is below):

 Ex-Brown Matt Miller Moves from Blocking to Aerospace Engineering

It is often said (mostly by offensive linemen) that offensive linemen are the smartest group of players on the field.

Recognizing hundreds of defensive schemes… understanding blitz concepts… adjusting to constantly shifting defensive fronts. If you listen to them, it’s a wonder all offensive linemen don’t move on to teach engineering at an Ivy League college after their playing days.

At least one lineman did exactly that.

Matt Miller, a fourth round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1979, played four years under Coach Sam Rutigliano before he realized there might be a less stressful side to life than blocking the Steelers’ Iron Curtain.

Miller joined the faculty at Cornell University in 1994 and is currently a full Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.

He is particularly interested in solid mechanics and the mechanical behavior of metals, engineering alloys, composites and semiconductors.

Miller received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and his M.S. and Ph.D. at Georgia Tech.

“Let’s just say I am definitely a better professor than I was an NFL offensive lineman,” Miller says, “but my time in the league helped shape the work I do now. I wouldn’t trade either of these careers.”

Dr. Matt Miller is just one of many retired NFL players involved in meaningful careers after their playing days.

Below are just 20 of these successful alumni:

Let us know what you or your former teammates are doing professionally by emailing us at Jon.Zimmer@nfl.com

 Free Cardio & Prostate Screenings During HOF Weekend;
Future List of Screening Sites Includes Super Bowl, Pro Bowl

A reminder that the NFL Player Care Foundation (PCF) is sponsoring free cardiovascular and prostate screenings for you and other player alumni around the country during the next few months. The PCF is an independent organization dedicated to assisting retired players in improving their quality of life. Its membership includes the League, NFL Alumni Association, Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFLPA.

Upcoming screenings will be this weekend August 2-3 in Canton, Ohio during Pro Football Hall of Fame Weekend.

All retired NFL players are invited to contact Ms. Dana Lihan at the PCF to secure a spot for these screenings. Her contact info is (954) 639-4584 or Dana.Lihan@nflpcf.org. There is no charge for these tests.

• August 2-3: Canton, OH – McKinley Grand Hotel (Pro Football HOF Weekend)
• January, 2014: Honolulu, HI – (Pro Bowl Week)
• January, 2014: NY-NJ (Super Bowl XLVIII Week)
• TBD: Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH

Since 2008, more than 1,400 retired players have been screened for prostate cancer and more than 1,500 retired players have taken part in cardiovascular screenings through these programs.

NFL Life Line (800/506-0078) is Available to Retirees and Their Families

An important reminder that the NFL Life Line (800-506-0078) is a free, independent and confidential phone consultation service available to all members of the NFL family, especially former players and their family members who may need assistance with matters such as mental and physical health, family safety, lifestyle and transition in their post-NFL life.

NFL Life Line (800-506-0078) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. All calls are strictly confidential and not shared with the league office, teams, or any related entity.

Offense, Defense "Almost Evenly Split" on NFL Radio Broadcasts in 2013

Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff decided last month to retire as a radio voice of the Washington Redskins after more than 40 years with the team as player, coach and broadcaster. (Sam still holds it against former Giants coach Allie Sherman for trading him to the Skins in 1964.)

Huff’s retirement “tips the scales” as far as former players now describing the action on game day in local radio booths or as sideline broadcasters for NFL teams.

Thirty-two former offensive players will be in that local radio role this season while only seven retired defensive stars will have that title. (The articulate former punter Greg Coleman again will work Vikings games on radio but, as we know, punters only count when they help win games.)

Hall of Famer Bob Griese and former Dolphins receiver Jimmy Cefalo will be broadcasting back to South Florida the traditional Hall of Fame season opener from Canton this Sunday featuring the Dolphins vs. Cowboys. Babe Laufenberg, who played quarterback for three teams in the late ’80s, again is part of the Cowboys radio team calling the action for fans throughout Texas.

Many other former players work behind the microphone on network television, national radio, pregame and postgame TV & radio shows throughout the year.

A list of former players in local radio booths or in local sideline broadcast roles on game day: