), [pullquote] There was no other explanation for Websters deterioration; the repeated banging of his brain against his skull had damaged the brains nerve cells. Webster was honored as an All-Pro seven times and played in the Pro Bowl nine times. I saw changes that shouldnt be in a 50-year-old mans brains, and also changes that shouldnt be in a brain that looked normal.. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Nicknamed "Iron Mike", Webster anchored the Steelers' offensive line during much of their run of four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979 and is considered by many the greatest center in NFL history. He also relished his indestructible image. One of the best silver linings in the course of the situation has been the community of families that either are enduring or have endured similar circumstances that the Websters are part of. Have you ever been in a car accident? the doctor asked. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Other players who retired because of the effects of concussion or other head injuries include Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Merril Hoge, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Dave Pear, Wayne Chrebet, and Al Toon. An athlete who sustains concussion is 4-6 times more likely to sustain a second concussion. Just finish the game. Year should not be greater than current year. One of the individuals who was instrumental in beginning the story was former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Mike Webster through his family. ''I'm not seeking a pardon for my actions, and I'm not really asking for your understanding, even though grown men need understanding. Frontline shows a photo of Webster's body on a table at the coroner's office in Pittsburgh . Thanks for your help! High school athletes who sustain a concussion are three times more likely to sustain a second concussion. He had been receiving money from annuities and the disability paymentmuch of it went to alimony and child supportbut the IRS then garnished almost all of his income for unpaid taxes. ''You get more and more demented. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. My dad was just shocked because he did so much for these people. Healthy brain cells will eventually devour those proteins, but in cases like Webster's, the proteins eventually overwhelm the amount of healthy brain cells available to clear the brain. He would become the first football player. He suffered football-related brain damage in 1999 and several behavioral disturbances were reported in the years after he retired.. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. And the beating left its own legacy. But Webster tried to reassure people that his life was not as damaged as it seemed. When Webster was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he chose Bradshaw to present him. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. [3], Webster was born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin on March 18, 1952 as the second child of six children. Mike Powell/Getty Images "Iron Mike" Webster helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 70's. After leaving the game, he suffered depression and dementia, dying in 2002 at the age of 50. But since he passed away, nobody in the family gets any more of that pension.. I dont really remember anything of Dad playing before Kansas City, but there are parts of memories. The father and son slept on the floor, surrounded by pizza boxes. In any given season, 10% of all college players and 20% of all high school players sustain brain injuries. He was the Steelers' offensive captain for nine years. Doctor's Catholic Faith Guided His Investigation of NFL Star's Death Dr. Bennet Omalu's determination to learn what caused Mike Webster's premature death has borne fruit, in the discovery. I know growing up, one of the biggest things that was tough was having people that you could tell things to and you can relate to. ''There will be some mornings he can't get up from the couch because he feels so terrible.''. Everybody noticed that with Dad. Contact Us | A lot of guys look back, and they love the game, says Harris. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, class of 1997. [22], Nicknamed "Iron Mike", Webster's reputation for durability led him to play even through injuries. Webster is also survived by two sons, Colin of Camp LeJeune, N.C., and Garrett; two daughters, Hillary and Brooke; two grandchildren; his father, William, of Harshaw, Wis.; two brothers, Reid and Joe Webster; and two sisters, Wendy and Jane Webster. ike Webster, whose Hall of Fame pro football career was followed by more than a decade of physical and psychological turmoil apparently brought on by repeated blows to the head on the field, died yesterday in a Pittsburgh hospital. He publishes a newsletter, "The Ninth Circle of Helling," that focuses on labor issues in North American sport. Eventually, the judge did go back and let us basically appeal that, but it was like being stuck in limbo. Thats when, as Pamela says, Mike changed. He seemed physically disoriented and started to behave strangely. We represent current players, not former players. But I do promise you this: No matter what happens, I will answer the charges. Learn more about managing a memorial . Players with CTE have battled depression, memory loss, and in some cases dementia. He died at age 50, possibly from brain injuries sustained from his work. Court documents arent free, and you can be a difference-maker by helping us to meet the expenses necessary to remain ad-free and provide the coverage youve come to expect over the past three years. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Omalu published his findings, believing NFL officials would want to know more. Dad was never a part of those, even when he was alive. I could feel a pat on my shoulder, almost a whisper in my ear, Everythings going to be all right., On a chill afternoon in November, Steelers owner Dan Rooney sits in his office, fondly recalling Iron Mike. Often unable to pay for medicine, Webster would shake so hard he couldnt drive his son to school. This is his story. Since Webster was so passionate about football, it was painful for him to accept that the sport had left him permanently impaired. After his retirement, Webster suffered from amnesia, dementia, depression, and bone and. He would say to me, Im not mad about what happened to me from playing football. Steelers begin meeting with defenders at the Combine. Using findings from the autopsy, Dr. Bennet Omalu studies the long-term effects of football collisions on Mike Webster's brain. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. I want to earn, you know, I want to pay off my debts. I cant do that again. Hall of Fame offensive lineman Mike Webster was the first former NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE. I was just out of gas, tired and exhausted, and that's as far as I got that day.''. In the autopsy room, Omalu snapped on his gloves and approached the slab. Authors of the book "League of Denial," ESPN investigative reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada and his brother, Steve Fainaru, recently spoke to NPR about it and the league's efforts to deny a link between concussions and long-term brain damage. For years prior to his death, he battled symptoms resembling depression, dementia, and amnesia. Michael Lewis Webster (March 18, 1952 - September 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. His marriage broke up. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, who initially made him an offensive line coach before allowing him to return as the starting center. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mike would be the first one at the stadium and the last to leave, he was so afraid to fail, recalls Pamela. "If you take out the head injuries, Dad was ruled completely disabled from football," Webster explained. But then, Maddox wasnt there at Mike Websters funeral. Privacy Policy. I couldnt leave him in that situation, Garrett recalls. [2], It has been speculated that Webster's ailments were due to wear and tear sustained over his playing career; some doctors estimated he had been in the equivalent of "25,000 automobile crashes" in over 25 years of playing football at the high school, college and professional levels. There was an error deleting this problem. Michael Lewis "Mike" Webster was an American football player who played as a center in the National Football League from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Ste. Webster also stated that in his playing days he had tried anabolic steroids -- illegal body-building substances that can cause health problems -- but he maintained they were not responsible for his condition. He didnt want a handout. That was definitely hard but it was good too because I still feel this to this day my dad would have been fascinated by it and he would have been honored to be part of Dr. Omalus research.. Disclaimer | You'll receive access to exclusive information and early alerts about our documentaries and investigations. Traumatic brain injuries cause 1.5 times more deaths than AIDS. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Webster's wife Pamela divorced him six months before his death in 2002 of a heart attack at age 50. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Football had taken a punishing toll on his body. And responding to reports that he had lived in his car for 18 months, he told The St. Petersburg Times: ''From time to time, yes, I did sleep in my car and stay in my car. The cause of death was a heart attack, the Pittsburgh Steelers said. Pittsburgh steeler center mike Webster was the first nfl player omalu autopsied. As a child, Webster idolized Green Bay Packers fullback Jim Taylor. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. This reliable family man who used to read his children Bible stories at bedtime began to get in his car and disappear for days. Since 2017, the National Football League has paid $714 million for brain damage sustained by 1,023 of its. Struggles adjusting to life after football is a common issue with former players, and Webster, the last of the four-ring Steelers from the 1970s, had a tougher time than most. There is a problem with your email/password. In the film, which premieres Tuesday, Oct. 8 beginning at 9 pm EST, FRONTLINE investigates the hidden story of the NFLs response to head injuries. On December 13, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, upheld the Baltimore federal judge's 2005 ruling that the league's retirement plan must pay benefits reserved for players whose disabilities began while they were still playing football. His youngest child, Hillary, who was living in Wisconsin with her mother, says that in recent years, My father called me every night. But his two sons, who lived with him at different times, saw a more tortured side. They have their competitive streaks. Try again later. We recommend our users to update the browser. It's a sobering look at the state of the league in wake of its $765 million settlement with over 4,000 former players who brought a class action suit against the NFL over these issues. Then they were talking about how theyve gotten that by not giving pensions out. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. I remember the NFLPA bragging about how they had something like $10 billion in their retirement fund. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Webster is seen as an example of the difficulties American football players suffer when their careers are over. Michael Lewis Webster (March 18, 1952 - September 24, 2002) was an American football player who played center in the National Football League from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. Odds & lines subject to change. They have their quirks, they have their workout routines. [4] [5], Mike Webster was regarded as the best center in the Big Ten during most of his career at the University of WisconsinMadison. A couple of months later, they got ahold of the actual paperwork. At 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, he was drafted in the fifth round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Webster is now happy to share that his familys relationship with the Steelers has improved, however, his opinion of the leagues handling of the concussion settlement hasnt similarly improved. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the meeting process at the NFL Scouting Combine. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. He taught his son plays, watched game tapes with him, even tried to run with him despite knee and back injuries. Pam Webster had to take a job as a waitress to support her family, and the couple ultimately divorced, shortly before Mike's death at age 50. You know, if your dad is important enough to get a limo ride to the Steelers game in Pittsburgh, he must be the mayor or something like that., I remember Kansas city a little better and the change to a large extent of how dad acted, Webster continued. Please reset your password. The financial strain couldnt fully explain his increasingly bizarre behavior, however. Our piece addressed the role Removing Old Blood Stains Mrsa Pictures On Face Staph versus MRSA Pictures: What's the difference? But there are some who cant walk, who find it hard to do simple things. Finally, later that night he let Jani drive him there; doctors said hed had a heart attack. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist, examined tissue from Webster and eight other NFL players and determined they all showed the kind of brain damage previously seen in people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, as well as in some retired boxers. And Webster's acceptance speech was emotional and prophetic. We said that stuffs in the past. Jani began to handle the increasingly frequent crises, bailing Webster out of awkward jams. Mike was also on the sidelines at every game. ''I have to take care of my dad,'' he said a week ago. Mike Webster George Gojkovich/Getty Images Mike Webster was the center for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, including the '75 Steelers team, but there was no coaching position, charity events, or broadcasting jobs in his future. People who play in the NFL, theyre not normal guys. The second of six children, he didnt have an easy childhood: His parents divorced when he was ten, and a year later his home burned down, with Mike, his mother and siblings barely escaping the inferno. Half-Time in the CBA A conversation with Ben Leber, Report Released By Cyrus Mehri Details Anti-Labor Stance Within NFLPA, Cyrus Mehris Candidacy Reveals New NFLPA Constitution and Fresh Vision for Players Union, How the NFLPA may have fumbled player safety. It was Omalus job to measure the damage. Michael Allen Webster. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [citation needed], At the time of his death, Webster was addicted to prescription medication. Mike Webster, nicknamed - Iron Mike, was an American professional football player who played center for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974 to 1988. Grateful to be playing in the big time, Webster overcompensated for his size by becoming the hardest-working, play-with-pain member of the team. My dad played 17 years and we did eventually win our pension suit. ''I am not seeking your pity or sympathy,'' he said at a news conference at the time. An hour later, standing on the sidelines watching practice, Maddox complains to me: Im really upset that they wont let me play.. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Jets, Increasing snap count of Cameron Heyward may jolt sluggish defense to life, Le'Veon Bell begins the first week of the start of his career, Three people stabbed over comments regarding Steelers, Penguins, Funeral for L.C. English DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed on this site are the result of research and analysis done by Advocacy for Fairness in Sports. 5% of soccer players sustain brain injuries as a result of their sport. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Mike Webster, whose Hall of Fame pro football career was followed by more than a decade of physical and psychological turmoil apparently brought on by repeated blows to the head on the field,. You can donate securely and anonymously if desired with a major credit card by clicking here: Advocacy for Fairness in Sports is appreciative of recognition shown by these outstanding publications, TV and audio media. Despite Webster's late start, he quickly learned how to command the offensive line and earned a football scholarship. Im feeling good, the quarterback says, moving stiffly. Webster's erratic habits and continued absences contributed to a breakup of his marriage, and his former wife, Pamela, said she had to sell their house and car and take a job as a cleaning woman. As a neuropathologist, Omalu was especially interested in the brain. Webster had several million dollars in assets when he retired, so it shocked Pamela when their Victorian house was foreclosed 18 months after he left football. When I was young, he said he wanted me to be somebody, like a lawyer, says Garrett, who moved in with his father three years ago. An ESPN series documented Webster missing his son's 10th birthday after taking a cocktail of narcotics; repeatedly stunning himself to sleep with a Taser gun; screaming at strangers at the Amtrak. Verify and try again. Even as a young boy, he saw that sports was a small-town way to shine. GREAT NEWS! In the aftermath of the settlement, Webster found that the franchise his father gave his life to enrich, the Steelers, treated him with indifference if not contempt. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Witnessing most of Websters story was his son, Garrett. And I don't want their pity. You can find out when League of Denial airs on your local PBS station here. He died in 2002 at age 50, and he was the focus of the 2015 movie, Concussion.. Thats what shocked us. I dont think he cared about being a hero, he just liked the game.. Professional Football Player. After Mikes death, when the family was approached by Dr. Bennett Omalu to help with his research on CTE and athletes, it was the beginning of a new chapter for the Webster family as well. Illinois, who covers the intersections of entertainment and sports with business, law, media and technology. I looked again. While Dr. Omalu provided answers regarding Mikes behavioral and neurological issues, the concussion settlement in 2013 did anything but for the Webster family. When he needed help, during the whole time when we were suing for that original pension, the NFLPA, the people who were supposed to represent the players, that guys like Dad paid into their pension to support, never reached out, never said, hey Mike, what can we do for you?, If anything the union was in the way of my dad getting his pensions, Webster added. Also like the others, he tried to shrug it off. We were picked up in a limousine and all of us just thought that was the coolest thing. He lost money in bad investments. I had to make sure the slides were Mike Websters slides, Omalu told FRONTLINE. A first-of-its-kind online workshop that helps you to housebreak your dog, stop bad behaviors, and train them to become as obedient as service dogs, using the same secret methods used by service dog trainers. [2][20] Omalu's findings were largely ignored by the NFL until Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was diagnosed with CTE shortly after his death at age 26 in 2009. Hed cut off his sleeves in the freezing cold, zero degrees, to intimidate the other teams, Rooney says with a grin. I just thought he was angry at me all the time.. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. [2] Since his death, he has become a symbol for head injuries in the NFL and the ongoing debate over player safety. Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation. Websters finances remain a muddle, but from conversations with his family and lawyers, it appears he poured most of his savings into investments that went bad. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Football injuries associated with the brain occur at the rate of one in every 5.5 games. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Webster's estate brought a lawsuit in Maryland's U.S. District Court against the National Football League. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? His toughness made him a winner: He was voted onto the All-Pro team six straight years, won four Super Bowl rings, and joined the greatest players ever in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The football stadium at Rhinelander High School, his alma mater, is named Mike Webster Stadium in his honor. Omalu's findings were largely ignored by the NFL until Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was diagnosed with CTE shortly after his death in 2009. He earned $16,000 in his first season, $400,000 in his last. Mike Webster, 50, Dies; Troubled Football Hall of Famer, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/25/sports/mike-webster-50-dies-troubled-football-hall-of-famer.html. It hurt him. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Send Flowers. A system error has occurred. So when he came out and said we dont represent Mike Webster. And he had such a soft spot for children. The couple married shortly after the Steelers drafted him in the fifth round in 1974, and eventually had four children: Brooke, now 26, sons Colin and Garrett24 and 19and Hillary, 15. Make sure that the file is a photo. Anyone can read what you share. [11], Webster was proven to have been disabled before retiring from the NFL. My dad had things set up. His story, however, isnt just a cautionary tale about gridiron injuries. This guy thinks he can come up with an answer, a solid, concrete answer for why Dad struggled so much. At the teams expense, Webster was put up for six weeks at the Pittsburgh Hilton, before decamping to a $25-a-night joint. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Nicknamed "Iron Mike", Webster anchored the Steelers' offensive line during much of their run of four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979 and is considered by some as the best center in NFL history. In public, league doctors assailed his research. But Webster refused his panicked sons entreaties to go to a hospital, in part because he didnt have insurance. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Its a saga about a man who was loved deeply by family and friends, but who lost the relationships he prized most. And yes, I slept in a train station one time. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Since then we have had some positive instances, in the past couple of years, but overall its been the same thing, over and over again is that instead of people being like this is great, we know about this now so lets fix it, its been more of that asshole ruined things for everybody, you know, and thats, you know, that continues to be the hardest part.. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Inside Mike Websters brain, hed make a startling discovery:a disease never previously identified in football players. In 1997, just before his Hall of Fame induction, his troubled life became public, and he told The Atlanta Journal and Constitution: ''Because of all this publicity over my situation, people treat me like I'm dying or something. Webster was never officially treated for a concussionHe never complained about anything like this, says Ralph Berlin, the Steelers trainer during Websters playing years. For example, my mom, shes part of a number of wives groups of former and current NFL players that talk and support each other with what goes on with concussions and CTE and stuff like that. B ennet Omalu, a Nigeria-born neuropathologist, first discovered chronic encephalopathy (CTE) in an NFL player when he saw the debilitating disease in the brain of Mike Webster, the Hall of. The weekend of the funeral, Harris went to see Garrett Webster play football and was impressed by the teenagers potential. [citation needed], Webster became a free agent following the 1988 season. Our piece addressed the role that the thousands of concussions Webster sustained during his football career affected his brain and contributed to his death in 2002 at age 50. It was all the normal things you hear from athletes when they retire.. Ben Roethlisberger tied Webster's record in the 2018 season, and broke it in 2019[9], While, at the time of his retirement, the Steelers were no longer officially retiring jersey numbers, Webster's No. He didnt watch the games, he didnt know the teams, and he certainly didnt know the name Mike Webster. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. But Rooney refuses to believe Websters problems were more than psychological or that he was truly entitled to an NFL disability. Like in the Concussion movie, he had spent years battling depression, dementia, amnesia, and severe back pain. Mike had dementia due to head trauma, a series of blows to the head over a period of time, Krieg says. games, including 177 in a row. Failed to delete memorial. We couldnt imagine us not being included. Michael Lewis Webster (March 18, 1952 September 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. Learn more about merges. Everybody gets injured, but most injuries arent reported, says Miki Yaras-Davis, director of benefits at the NFL Players Association. An avid reader, Webster could still devour books on Winston Churchill and World War II, yet his memory was so fragmented he couldnt remember the simplest things, sometimes sleeping in his car by the side of the road because he didnt know how to get home. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. He was an undersized 225-pound center at the University of Wisconsin who lingered in the N.F.L. [8] At the time of his retirement, he was the last active player in the NFL to have played on all four Super Bowl winning teams of the 1970s Steelers. As things came out with the concussion it was a big can of worms. He was responsible and did things the right way. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974, he played for 17 seasons, 15 with the Steelers. He discovered that Webster . . [6]This ended in 1986 when he dislocated his elbow, causing him to sit out for four games. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, class of 1997. I got to sit down with Art Rooney. The strengths of Mikes character live on in his son, Garrett. His anguish is evident as he writes about his mental state: deep, confusing, twisting fishing line tangled up mess of confusing things go on all the time.. Associated with the concussion it was a big can of worms is named Mike Webster through his.. 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'S estate brought a lawsuit in Maryland 's U.S. District Court against the National League. At bedtime began to handle the increasingly frequent crises, bailing Webster out of awkward jams allowed to,! Freezing cold, zero degrees, to intimidate the other teams, and severe back pain process at time! For these people Mikes behavioral and neurological issues, the judge did go back and let basically... His family 5 % of soccer players sustain brain injuries as a neuropathologist, Omalu FRONTLINE! $ 400,000 in his first season, 10 % of all high school athletes who sustain a second.. Heart attack, the National football League has paid $ 714 million for brain sustained... Passionate about football, it was painful for him to accept that the sport had left him permanently impaired &! About being a hero, he didnt have insurance theyre not normal guys suffer when careers! Sons entreaties to go to a hospital, in part because he did so much for these people of heart... 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