Shayne Graham reaches out to Bengals alumni with health care services

[savafan]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs...reaches_o.html

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, July 9, 2009, 08:00 AM

It won’t be decided until late this year, but Cincinnati Bengals placekicker Shayne Graham deserves the 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,

Through his foundation, Graham is providing all former NFL players and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area — and their spouses — a free package of health services, which include:

• A comprehensive health screening.

• Follow-up health coaching.

• A membership to a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The Shayne Graham Foundation has chosen Mercy Health Partners to provide the health care services.

Graham and former Bengals Anthony Munoz and Jim Breech will announce the program at a Wednesday, July 15, news conference.

Then the trio will greet former players and their spouses at a reception at the Mercy Fairfield HealthPlex at 6:30 p.m. that day.

At the reception, Bengals alumni will get more details about the health screenings and be able to schedule them. They’ll also be able to sign up for HealthPlex membership and take a tour of the Mercy Fairfield HealthPlex. Mercy also has HealthPlexes in Anderson and Western Hills.

Mercy-affiliated physicians, personal training staff and health coaches will also be on hand to answers questions.

IN SHAYNE GRAHAM’S WORDS:

“Like most current players in the National Football League, I consider myself fortunate to have had a range of opportunities made available to me. I realize, however, that none of this would have been possible without the work and sacrifice of former players and coaches such as you who have paved the way for whatever success I and many others have enjoyed.

“Because of the debt I owe to retired players and coaches, I want to give something to all former NFL players and coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area. Through my foundation, we are going to provide you and your spouse a free package of health services which could prove life-saving.

“Remember — all of this is provided to you at no cost by my foundation. It’s my way of saying thanks to all that you have meant to the game.”

[reds1869]

Great move by a classy guy. Many do not realize tat the lavish pay of the NFL is a fairly new phenomenon and a ton of vets are uncovered. Kudos to Mr. Graham.

[SeeinRed]

Big league move all the way through. Kudos to Mr. Graham. What an asset he has turned out to be not only for the Bengals, but also for the community.

[Javy Pornstache]

This is huge news, wish it was more widely reported, but this is a really big deal. The NFL's lack of care in health of former players is scary. Mad props to Shayne for such a standup act.