League of Denial (56 page)

  
1
Noll had a question:
Joe Maroon interview, 2012.

  
2
A Renaissance man:
“Teacher, Scientist, Innovator, Coach,”
Sports Illustrated
, Aug. 23, 2007.

  
3
In one series of early experiments:
T. A. Gennarelli et al. “Acceleration Induced Head Injury in the Monkey,”
Acta Neuropathologica Supplement
, 1981.

  
4
Oddly shaped sphere of Jell-O:
Joe Maroon, Ann McKee interviews, 2012; Mitch Berger interview, 2013, et al.

  
5
“Nobody thought”:
Jeff Barth interview, 2012.

  
6
A front-page article:
“Silent Epidemic,”
Wall Street Journal
, Nov. 24, 1982.

  
7
The results were startling:
Jeffrey T. Barth,
Mild Head Injury
, 1989.

  
8
Novel “secrets”:
Joseph Maroon,
The Longevity Factor
.

  
9
When Maroon sold:
“Pittsburgh Medical Center Buys Properties Partly Owned by Staff Surgeon,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Sept. 15, 1999.

10
Personal experience with concussions:
Mark Lovell interview, 2012.

11
One of the first guinea pigs:
Much of Merrill Hoge’s concussion history was drawn from Merrill Hoge interview, 2012, interviews with Maroon and Lovell, and Hoge’s subsequent lawsuit against Bears team physician John Munsell. See
Hoge v. Munsell
, No. 98 WL 0996 (Ill. Lake County Ct, July 5, 2000).

12
He told a reporter:
“Injury Will Keep Hoge Out,”
Chicago Tribune
, Oct. 4, 1994.

13
Hoge’s baseline scores:
Henry “Tim” Bream III, “Postconcussion Syndrome: A Case Study,”
Human Kinetics
, 1996.

14
“Fuck Ass Shit Test”:
Lovell interview, 2012.

15
Neurosurgeon was shaken:
Maroon interview, 2012.

  
1
Turned into a nightmare:
This account of Webster’s unraveling is from interviews with Pam Webster, Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, Bob Stage, and Billy Makris, 2012.

  
2
Webster returned to Kansas City:
Interviews with Grunhard, Moore, and Schottenheimer, 2012.

  
3
Sunny Jani was his given name:
This section on Webster’s relationship with Sunny Jani is based on interviews with Jani, 2012.

  
4
Sleeping in his car:
Mike Webster Feature, ESPN, Feb. 2010; “Man on the Moon,”
ESPN.com
, Jan. 26, 2005.

  
5
Living out of his truck:
Interviews with Garrett Webster and Jani, 2012.

  
6
Mike’s life was coming apart:
Pam Webster interview, 2012; court records.

  
7
His health continued to get worse:
Webster’s medical records.

  
8
Super Glue to stanch the bleeding:
Pam Webster and Garrett Webster interviews, 2012.

  
9
Offices of Dr. Stanley Marks:
Webster’s medical records.

10
At the Amtrak station:
Joe Gordon interview, 2012; “Man on the Moon,”
ESPN.com
, Jan. 26, 2005.

11
Gordon was a Pittsburgh native:
“Joe Gordon, Former Steelers Director of Communications,”
Pittsburgh Sports Daily Bulletin
, Aug. 5, 2012.

12
Gordon decked an Oakland TV reporter:
“Steelers vs. Ravens Latest in a Long Line of Football Feuds,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Jan. 16, 2009.

13
Gordon also was impressed by Webster’s generosity:
Gordon interview, 2012.

14
The train station:
The details of Gordon’s encounter with Webster at the Pittsburgh Amtrak station and Webster’s extended stay at the downtown Hilton are from Gordon interview, 2012, and “Man on the Moon,”
ESPN.com
, Jan. 26, 2005.

15
ESPN aired a story:
Mike Webster feature, ESPN, July
1996.

16
The fallen hero:
“Webster’s Induction Comes Amid Chaos,”
Houston Chronicle
, July 26, 1997; “Humbled Hero; Webster Fights to Overcome Despair,”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
, July 25, 1997; “A Life Off-Center,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, July 24, 1997; “A Man of Steel Crumbles,”
St. Petersburg Times
, July 24, 1997; “From Super Bowls to Sleeping in Bus Stations,” Associated Press, July 20, 1997.

17
A business opportunity:
Interviews with Garrett Webster, Colin Webster, and Jani, 2012.

18
Webster asked Bob Stage:
Stage interview, 2012.

19
A check for $175,000:
Interviews with Garrett Webster and Jani, 2012.

20
Webster repeatedly rebuffed offers:
Interviews with family, friends, and former players, 2012.

21
The ceremony:
Details derived from video of the Hall of Fame ceremony.

22
Bradshaw rarely had set foot in Pittsburgh:
“Bradshaw: It’s Great to Be Home,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Oct. 20, 2002.

23
At Bradshaw’s own induction:
“Bradshaw Delivers Sermon That Revives Steelers Memories,”
Pittsburgh Press
, Aug. 6, 1989.

24
Ritalin was one of his best friends:
Interviews with Dr. James Vodvarka, Dr. Charles Kelly, Garrett Webster, and Jani, 2012; Webster’s medical records.

25
Bob Stage cringed:
Stage interview, 2012.

26
“I expected more”:
“A Bittersweet Day in Canton,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, July 27, 1997.

27
Webster’s festering enmity:
Interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, Pam Webster, and Jani, 2012.

  
1
The conference:
“Concussion from the Inside: The Athlete’s Perspective,”
Sports-Related Concussion
, 1999.

  
2
“Somebody somewhere isn’t bleeding”:
“A Steeler Turns Anger into Commodity,”
New York Times
, Oct. 24, 1993.

  
3
Sitting in the audience:
Micky Collins interview, 2012.

  
4
Sexy paper:
Michael W. Collins et al., “Relationship between Concussion and Neuropsychological Performance in College Football Players,”
Journal of the American Medical Association
, 1999.

  
5
A rising star:
Maroon interview, 2012.

  
6
The son of a Louisiana Supreme Court justice:
Julian Bailes interview, 2012.

  
7
“May be anticipated”:
“Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury,”
Sports-Related Concussion
, 1999.

  
8
Collins told:
“Tests Offer Key to Concussions,”
Detroit News
, Sept. 8, 1999.

  
9
Slapped the turf:
“Steelers Are Betting the Ranch on Lloyd,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, June 1, 1997.

10
“A cannonball hitting me”:
Associated Press, Nov. 27, 1992.

11
“A process of remembering”:
“Post-Concussion Syndrome,”
NFL Gameday
, Oct. 23, 1994.

12
One of the smartest players in the league:
“From Football to Finance,”
Capital Times
(Madison, WI), Nov. 24, 1995.

13
Weeping softly:
“With Sadness in His Eyes, Toon Bids Farewell,”
New York Times
, Nov. 28, 1992.

14
Penalty box:
“NFL May Consider Using a Penalty Box,”
New York Times
, Nov. 29, 1994.

15
Lacerating his tongue:
Associated Press, Oct. 23, 1994.

16
Three questions:
“Aikman Left Woozy by Sixth Concussion,”
Dallas Morning News
, Oct. 24, 1994.

17
The prototypical new player:
For more information on how Lawrence Taylor transformed the NFL, see the classic first chapter of Michael Lewis’s book
The Blind Side
(electronic).

18
The physical consequences:
Tim Gay interview, 2012.

19
Football players got bigger:
Timothy Gay,
Football Physics
, 2004.

20
When it came time to edit:
Greg Garber, e-mail.

21
“A disgrace”:
“Playing the Hits Is NFL’s Disgrace,”
Plain
Dealer
(Cleveland, OH), Oct. 26, 1994.

22
“A tragedy”:
“The NFL Is Asking for a Tragedy,”
New York Times
, Nov. 27, 1994.

23
“Hey, they do occur”:
“Suiting Up with a Concussion Is a Dangerous Game,”
Times Union
(Albany, NY), Jan. 31, 1995.

24
Maroon did his own calculations:
“The Breaks of the Game,”
Baltimore Sun
, Dec. 28, 1994.

25
Tagliabue appeared:
“Taglia-Boo,”
Sports Illustrated
(Scorecard), Dec. 26, 1994.

26
A staggering bet:
“Fox Network Outbids CBS for Rights to Pro Football,”
New York Times
, Dec. 18, 1993.

27
Steinberg was astonished:
Leigh Steinberg interview, 2012.

28
The immediate consequences:
“Aikman Recalls Little of NFC Title Game,”
Dallas Morning News
, Jan. 25, 1994.

29
Sometimes vomiting:
Steinberg interview, 2012.

30
A year later:
“Looking at Concussions, and the Repercussions,”
New York Times
, Feb. 18, 1995.

31
Plummer’s view:
Gary Plummer interview, 2013.

32
28 team doctors:
“NFL Medical Standards, Practices Are Different Than Almost Anywhere Else,”
Washington Post
, March 16, 2013.

33
10 or 20 deep:
Ben Lynch interview, 2012.

34
“Straddling a line”:
“Players Schooled on Concussions,”
Orange County
Register
, Feb. 18, 1995.

  
1
Living with his oldest son, Colin:
Colin Webster interview, 2012.

  
2
Dad was in trouble in Philadelphia:
Colin Webster interview, 2012.

  
3
Webster’s mental or physical deterioration:
Details of Webster’s deteriorating physicial condition are from interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, and Jani, 2012; Webster’s medical records; and “A Steeler’s Melting Point,”
ESPN.com
’s five-part series on Webster, Jan. 24–28, 2005.

  
4
Courson was concerned:
Vodvarka interview, 2012.

  
5
Vodvarka had grown up:
Details of Vodvarka’s biography and his first meeting with Webster are from Vodvarka interview, 2012.

  
6
People hanging around Webster:
Interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, and Jani, 2012.

  
7
The Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan:
Plan documents.

  
8
Viewed the plan with contempt:
There are numerous accounts detailing the frustrations of former players with the NFL retirement plan. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation held hearings on the subject on Sept. 18, 2007.

  
9
Deserved disability benefits:
Vodvarka interview, 2012.

10
Neither of them slept:
Bob Fitzsimmons interview, 2012.

11
When Mike and Sunny first went to meet him:
Jani interview, 2012.

12
The man to turn to:
Fitzsimmons interview, 2012; Fitzsimmons biography at
www.​fitzsimmons​firm.​com
.

13
He sent him first to see Fred Krieg:
Fitzsimmons interview, 2012; Webster medical records.

14
Fitzsimmons also sent Webster:
Kelly interview, 2012; Webster’s medical records.

15
Fitzsimmons turned finally to a forensic psychiatrist:
Webster’s medical records.

16
Webster came to believe it was his destiny:
Interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, Jani, Fitzsimmons, Vodvarka, and Kelly, 2012.

17
Webster raged:
Interviews with Garrett Webster, Colin Webster, and Jani, 2012.

18
An array of firearms:
Colin Webster interview, 2012.

19
Legal pads and notebooks:
Nearly every person close to Webster who was interviewed provided copies of personal correspondence.

20
Fingers were so mangled:
Interviews with Garrett Webster and Jani, 2012.

21
Fitzsimmons cleared out a storage room:
Interviews with
Garrett Webster, Fitzsimmons, and Jani, 2012.

22
His bitterness was palpable:
Letters provided by Fitzsimmons.

23
Threatened to become the first player to quit the Hall:
Interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, and Jani, 2012.

24
Super Bowl rings into yet another money-raising scheme:
Jani interview, 2012.

25
Sunny called Fitzsimmons in a panic:
Interviews with Garrett Webster, Jani, and Fitzsimmons, 2012.

26
Acutely aware of what was happening to him:
Kelly interview, 2012.

27
“Mr. Webster, you’re under arrest”:
Details of the arrest and the events surrounding it are from court records; interviews with Colin Webster, Garrett Webster, Jani, Vodvarka, and Fitzsimmons; and “Ex-Steeler Webster Faces Forged Prescription Charge,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Feb. 26, 1999.

28
Drug use was out of control:
Vodvarka interview, 2012.

29
Helped get him out of the charges:
Fitzsimmons interview, 2012; court records.

30
Cut Webster off:
Vodvarka interview, 2012.

31
Fitzsimmons scrambled together a press conference:
Details of the run-up to the press conference and the event are from interviews with Colin Webster, Fitzsimmons, Vodvarka, and Jani, 2012; and “Hall of Fame Center Says He Has Brain Injury from Football,” Associated Press, March 10, 1999.

32
Jail might be the best option:
Vodvarka interview, 2012.

33
A mini-debate:
“Opinions of Webster’s Ailments and Treatment Vary,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, March 15, 1999.

34
Four doctors weren’t enough:
Court documents and Webster’s disability case records.

35
Their paranoia:
Jani interview, 2012.

36
The NFL’s handpicked neurologist:
Details of the meeting are derived from 2012 interviews with Dr. Edward Westbrook and Jani as well as Webster’s disability case records.

37
Edward Westbrook was not in denial:
Westbrook interview, 2012.

38
The retirement board granted:
Webster’s disability case records.

39
Thousands of former players were suing:
NFL​Concussion​Litigation.​com
.

40
“Proverbial smoking gun”:
Fitzsimmons interview, 2012.

41
A hollow victory:
Webster’s disability case records.

42
He couldn’t get over the injustice:
Vodvarka interview, 2012, and 1999 letter.

43
No alternative except to sue:
Fitzsimmons interview, 2012.

44
IRS garnished most of the payments:
Court documents and Webster disability case records.

45
Pissing into [oven]:
Colin Webster interview, 2012.

46
Like high school buddies:
Garrett Webster and Jani interviews, 2012.

47
His incoherent letters:
Provided by Bob Fitzsimmons.

48
The two men had once been close:
Stage interview, 2012.

49
Chest pains and trouble breathing:
Details of the Webster’s death are from interviews with Garrett Webster, Jani, Fitzsimmons, and Vodvarka, 2012.

50
The Steelers paid for the funeral:
Interviews with Jani and Gordon, 2012.

51
Who’s Who of Steelers greats:
“200 Offer Final Tribute to Steelers’ Webster,”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Sept. 28, 2002.

52
He watched with disgust:
Colin Webster interview, 2012.

53
Why just Mike?:
Pam Webster interview, 2012.

54
Phone rang at Bob Fitzsimmons’s office:
Interviews with Bennet Omalu and Fitzsimmons, 2012.