NFL plans to offer free medical follow-up to players

In order to spark at a hearing Wednesday on head injuries, the League Commissioner Roger Goodell plans to tell congress that the league will offer free follow-up medical work to 56 players formerly wearin NFL jerseys who reported dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related problems regardless of the cause.

Former coach of the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka, also said Tuesday that he and his Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund will work on an expanded medical program.

All of these happened after a recent studay, conducted for the NFL by researchers at the University of Michigan, uggested that retired pro football players may have a higher rate than normal of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory afflictions. According to lead author David Weir, who is among the witnesses for Wednesday’s hearing, the results show the topic is worth further study, but the NFL have stressed another indication fo the result: it does not prove a link between playing football and later mental troubles.