"The memory loss and some of the pain they're struggling with in watching this movie and showing how serious it is, it's going to bring it to these guys' hearts. I know it did for me."
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, February 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The members of Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches' Pro Recovery Team sat down with Joe Raineri of 640 AM Sports, of South Florida, to discuss football, the Super Bowl and reactions to the movie "Concussion." The interview with Vance Johnson, Randy Grimes, Chris T. Jones, McDonald Oden and Sean Dykes took place prior to an exclusive viewing of the new Will Smith film at Downtown Gardens Cobb Theatre.
Many of the Pro Recovery Team members had some interesting thoughts and opinions about the controversial film and the subject of concussions itself, as each player admitted to having suffered concussions throughout their playing careers. Both Chris and McDonald said they were pressured back onto the field shortly after sustaining an in-game concussion, and Vance attributed some of his addiction struggles potentially to violent head traumas he received while playing.
The group discussed emerging research that continues to raise awareness about the short and long-term threats of concussions, one of the biggest hot-button topics in the NFL and all sports. Vance echoed the sentiment that many other former players have expressed: that they would not choose professional football as a career if they could do it all over again.
"I would not want to do it again and I sure wouldn't want one of my kids to go out there and play football because of the problems that are happening," Vance Johnson who played in 3 Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos said."It's not worth a lifetime of not knowing who you are or who your family is, and then the agony and the problem that these guys are dealing with, with the memory loss and some of the pain they're struggling with. In watching this movie and showing how serious it is, it's going to bring it to these guys' hearts. I know it did for me."
With more and more former NFL players coming out against the sport in their post-careers, the long-term future of the sport may be in peril. Research into concussions and the long-term health effects associated with football is ongoing. As we are armed with more knowledge, parents will be able to make more informed decisions about allowing their children to play football or not.
Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches offers addiction recovery programs specifically tailored for professional athletes. These programs take into account the unique needs and challenges facing current and former athletes. The ultimate goal of the Pro Recovery Team is to inform the public about the addiction recovery programs at BHOPB and to speak to athletes who may be in need of help but are unsure of where to find it.
For more information on Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches or how to have the Pro Recovery Team speak at an event, please call (888) 432-2467.
Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches is one of the nation's leading behavioral health care organizations. Located in South Florida, we are composed of a group of addiction treatment and mental health facilities. Each one of our locations offers expert treatment, support, advocacy and assistance to patients suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness. We specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, and develop our cutting-edge treatment programs using evidence-based best practices.
# # #