Retired NFL players receive free health screenings at UAB – News

On the occasion, former gamers acquired free cardiac exams, neurological exams, orthopedic well being exams, and train, vitamin and psychological well being screenings for former gamers.
Images: Katherine MozzoneFormer NFL participant Antonio Langham sat in an examination room at UAB Hospital-Highlands awaiting a listening to check. As president of the Birmingham chapter of the NFL Gamers’ Affiliation, he says many gamers usually keep away from placing themselves on this place.

“The final place we wish to go is to a health care provider, and as large soccer gamers, we expect we’re invincible anyway,” stated Langham, an Alabama native and former College of Alabama soccer participant.

Greater than three dozen retired NFL gamers and their spouses confirmed as much as the University of Alabama at Birmingham final month for a wide range of well being assessments and exams. Held within the UAB Family and Community Medicine Clinic, the occasion was the results of a partnership between UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine, UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine, the Skilled Athletes Basis of the NFL Gamers’ Affiliation, and Residing Coronary heart Basis. 

Arthur J. Roberts, M.D., retired cardiac surgeon and former NFL quarterback, based LHF in 2001 to battle sudden cardiac demise and to supply early intervention for coronary heart situations by way of free, on-site screenings. Roberts and his staff convey the screenings to cities throughout the USA.

As at many LHF occasions, UAB’s attendees had cardiac exams, neurological exams and orthopedic well being exams. UAB additionally included screenings associated to train, vitamin and psychological well being.

“These people are at excessive threat for mind, bone and coronary heart well being points associated to their prior sporting engagement and historic life-style,” stated Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the division, a household medication and sports activities medication doctor, and the affiliate dean for Main Care and Rural Well being at UAB. “By this screening, we’ve achieved step one in offering these people with the instruments and assets wanted to look after themselves properly after their taking part in careers are over.”

Previous to realizing the occasion was coming to Birmingham, Langham says, he was prepared to exit of state to get the suitable screenings.

“I didn’t know after they had been coming to Birmingham, so I used to be on the brink of go to Jackson, Mississippi, to get it carried out,” Langham stated. “Listening to, EKG, blood strain, something chances are you’ll want. That is good … it’s mandatory. A whole lot of guys want this.”

Langham is aware of how vital it’s to remain in contact together with his major care medical doctors. Though Langham says he prioritizes his well being, he expresses issues about his former teammates.  

“We predict ‘we performed soccer, nothing can occur to us,’ you already know?” Langham stated. “We went by way of all of the years of banging heads and knocking one another down. We’re high quality; however once you’re carried out, issues change. We’re attending to the purpose now the place we’re getting on up in age and we’re beginning to lose guys. Hastily, in the future you’re speaking to them, and the subsequent day they’re not right here.”

Langham isn’t the one one reflecting on the understanding of mortality. Former Auburn soccer participant and retired NFL participant Tommie Agee additionally understands the significance of those screenings.

“I’ve three children and 4 grandkids,” Agee stated. “I’ve to be round so much longer. I’ve different children that need to have some children, so I do know I’ve to be round. You wish to see your grandkids develop up; you wish to see your children proceed to develop up.”

Agee’s household is what motivates him to see his physician often and to hunt different alternatives to obtain enter on his well being, just like the Residing Coronary heart Basis occasion.

“I’m positive that a whole lot of guys get so much out of it like I do,” Agee stated. “Principally, when you attempt to verify your well being goes properly, it provides you a very good, clear thoughts. It helps the sanity, realizing you might have a wholesome physique, wholesome thoughts.”

Whereas lots of the retired gamers don’t want free providers, some do. Since retiring from the NFL, numerous former gamers have been with out medical insurance.

“Alternatives like this enable us to speed up our development as a Sports activities and Train program, whereas offering a lot wanted providers to our group,” Asif stated. “This was a collaborative effort throughout departments and actually highlights the experience that’s distinctive to UAB.”

Asif hopes these screenings for NFL gamers will present how vital it’s for everybody to go to their physician to determine a baseline for his or her well being. A baseline of well being gives a complete evaluation of each bodily and psychological well being. By establishing a baseline, sufferers can start the method of stopping illness and taking steps to attain their well being targets.

“It is a good reminder that everybody, not simply soccer gamers, wants to concentrate to their well being, particularly as they age,” Asif stated. “None of us are invincible, and establishing a stable baseline with a medical supplier as these gamers did is a good first step to managing long-term well being.”

To make an appointment with a UAB major care supplier immediately, go to uabmedicine.org.