Brig. Gen. Richard Thomas, Assistant Surgeon General for Force Protection, left, and former NFL players Rocky Bleier and Eric Hipple pose for a photo in between interviews at the Super Bowl Media Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The men have joined together to raise awareness about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries and mental health issues for servicemembers and NFL players. Photo Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class William Selby
When thinking about comparisons, it is rare one would think to compare the National Football League to the U.S. Army. One provides entertainment on Sundays, Mondays (and a few Thursdays) while one provides national security and protection seven days a week.
Nevertheless, there is one issue they have in common that affects both in very serious way-tramatic brain injuries. And although the injuries occur in extremely different situations, they are equally serious and important. This is why the NFL is teaming up with the U.S. Army to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and brain injuries in servicemembers.
During an interview with The Pentagon Channel at the Super Bowl media center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Richard Thomas, assistant Surgeon General for Force Protection, stressed the importance of understanding the needs of servicemembers once they return from combat deployments.
Thomas was joined by NFL stars Eric Hipple, a former quarterback for the Detroit Lions who is now the outreach coordinator with the University of Michigan Depression Center, and Rocky Bleier, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient and four-time Super Bowl winner.
Bleier has documented the problems he had after returning from Vietnam. He noted that both troops who return from war and NFL players who have retired from football often are reluctant to seek help for problems due to the stigma attached to counseling.
There are vehicles for servicemembers to get help for medical problems, Thomas said, but they “have to initiate the process.”
To learn more about how U.S. Army scientists and researchers are working towards understanding traumatic brain injuries suffered in combat, listen live at 2:00 pm to a DODBloggers Roundtable at http://ow.ly/13leU.
It is great to see the NFL partnering with the US Army in this important field. I can see how these types of injuries could be left untreated due to the stigma attached to counseling. There are likely many soldiers and NFL players who don’t want to admit they have problems. Many have trained to be tough and deal with the pain. Looking for help could be seen by some as weakness.
I hope there is a continued effort to educate soldiers and players on where to go for help.
This article, about the NFL teaming up with the U.S. Army to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and truamtic brain injuries, emphasizes the Army’s commitment to doing everything it can to care for soldiers after brain injuries. These traumatic injuries have had taken it’s toll on both organizations. I appreciate both organization’s leaders stepping up to the plate and providing all the tools to heal from these life-altering injuries. This act shows how the Army and the NFL do not leave a fellow soldier, veteran, or player behind.
Its good to see Rocky again. He is a true American HERO and he was an inspiration to us Viet Vets. When things looked particularly bad during those bad old days after Viet Nam, he reminded us all that we could still fight on! And THIS from a Browns fan too
And remember, the Men and Women I call “The Next Great Generation” are in the same Fight too!
Thanks Rocky , God bless and Welcome Home Brother
Rick554
Good to see both the Army and NFL coming together to heal these injuries. I’m sure there are numerous soldiers (on and off the field) that will never come forward and admit that they have these injuries.