Former NFL player and Crimson Tide legend Antonio Langham has his blood pressure measured at the Living Heart Foundation event at UAB's Highland clinic.
At UAB Hospital Highlands, former NFL player Antonio Langham relaxes in an exam chair as he awaits a hearing test. As President of the Birmingham chapter of the NFL Players’ Association, he says many players often avoid putting themselves in this position.
“The last place we want to go is to a doctor and big football players, we think we’re invincible anyway,” said Langham, an Alabama native and former University of Alabama football player.
Despite any potential apprehension they may have had, more than three dozen retired NFL players and their spouses showed up to UAB last Saturday for a battery of health tests and exams.
“I hate that some of the guys were questioning whether they should come or not, but I tried to convince every last one of them to come because it’s good for them to get a baseline,” Langham said.
Held in the Family and Community Medicine clinic at the Highlands hospital, the event was the result of a partnership between UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, the Professional Athletes Foundation of the NFL Players’ Association and the Living Heart Foundation (LHF).
“I started it and I think it went pretty well for a number of players. We’ve developed a lot of skilled people over the years who work with us now,” explained Arthur J. Roberts, M.D. “It’s definitely not a financial thing. I don’t get a nickel out of it. And I don’t need a nickel.”
Roberts, retired cardiac surgeon and former NFL quarterback, was on-site throughout the whole event. He founded the non-profit in 2001 to fight sudden cardiac death and to provide early intervention for heart conditions through free, on-site screenings. He and his team travel to events across the U.S.
“I've heard about some and, at first, I didn't know when they were coming to Birmingham. So I was getting ready to go to Jackson, Mississippi, and get it done,” said Langham. “Hearing, EKG, blood pressure, anything you may need. This is good… It’s necessary,” he said. “A lot of guys need this.”
If you are an Alabama fan, you likely know a thing or two about Antonio Langham. Before joining the Cleveland Browns as a first round draft pick, he was a defensive back for the Crimson Tide. Moreover, Langham helped lead the team to a national title and several bowl games. According to Sports Illustrated, he still holds the Alabama record for most interceptions-- 19. Included, of course, is the legendary catch and return that won the SEC Championship in 1992 against Florida.
Three decades later-- Langham makes it a point to keep in close contact with his family doctor.
“If I get something on my mind, I go see him or call him on the phone… [Recently] I just went by his office. He made me get a flu shot,” Langham said with a laugh.
Though Langham works to stay fit and healthy, he is concerned about his former teammates.
“‘We played football, nothing can happen to us,’ you know? We went through all the years of banging heads and knocking each other down. We’re fine but, when you’re done…things change,” said Langham. “You know you getting to the point now, you’re getting on up in age and we're starting to lose guys. *snaps*. All of the sudden you’re talking to them and the next day they’re not here.”
Alabama native and two-time Super Bowl champ Tommie Agee has his blood drawn for a full panel.
Langham is not the only one reflecting on the certainty of mortality.
“I have three kids and four grandkids,” said retired NFL player Tommie Agee. “I have to be around a lot longer! I got other kids that have to have some kids so I know I have to be around. So, that’s basically it. Making sure you stay healthy for your family and all that. You want to see your grandkids grow up, you want to see your kids continue to grow up.”
The former Auburn Tiger was a starting fullback all four years of college, according to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, as well as lead blocker for Bo Jackson. From there, Agee spent eight years in the NFL, including five in Dallas where he won two, consecutive Super Bowl championships.
After a successful career, family is now at the top of Agee’s mind.
“My oldest [grandchild] is seven…I have a four-year-old. I have three year-old and I have one that's just been born. She is, I think, not even two months,” he said.
They are what push Agee to see his doctor regularly and to seek other opportunities to receive input on his health, like the Living Heart Foundation event.
“These individuals are at high-risk for brain, bone, and heart health issues related to their prior sporting engagement and historical lifestyle. Through this screening, we’ve achieved the first step in providing these individuals with the tools and resources needed to care for themselves well after their playing career is over,” explained UAB Family and Community Medicine Department Chair Irfan Asif, M.D., a family medicine and sports medicine physician specializing in sports cardiology, and associate dean for primary care and rural health at UAB.
Not only did exams focus on cardiac, neurological, and orthopaedic health, like other LHF events; the UAB clinic also incorporated screenings related to exercise, nutrition and mental health, hallmarks of the comprehensive approach UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine physicians use for every athlete they treat.
An NFL retiree and his spouse check in for the Living Heart Foundation event. Langham says allowing wives to accompany their former player husbands encouraged more of them to turn out.
"This was a collaborative effort across departments and really highlights the expertise that is unique to UAB. Opportunities like this allow us to accelerate our growth as a Sports and Exercise program, while providing much needed services to our community,” Asif said.
While many of the retired players do not need free services, some do. Since retiring from the NFL, a number of former players have been without health insurance. One tells us it had been two years since his last check-up and, if it had not been for this comprehensive health screening, it could have become two more.
Thankfully, none of the players we spoke to learned of any unwanted surprises/ news during their check-up. Still, they are glad they came.
“I'm sure that that a lot of guys get a lot out of it like I do. Basically, once you try to make sure your health is going good; it gives you a good, clean mind. It helps the sanity, knowing you got a healthy body, healthy mind,” explained Agee.
When it comes to feedback from the LHF, organizers could not be more pleased.
“They said this is the best event they’ve ever had.” Asif said.