HBO Inside The NFL Wed. Dec 5th

WATCH it.

Blood Equity our documentary film about the footbal greats now facing hard times, will be the subject of one of the segments!

Roman and I shot it a couple of weeks ago. It was kind of fun having the cameras follow us around Golds Gym and a couple of other spots in Venice. Although, frankly I don't know how people live like that everyday!

For info on times http://www.hbo.com/infl/

We are done with the editing and are having music traxks composed and inserted. Almost at the finish line. We will definitely be completely done before Christmas and of course the SUPERBOWL.

To see the trailer: www.bloodequity.com

Comments

[Donna Robinson]

Mr. Phifer,

My name is Donna Robinson. I watched Bob Costas this morning and it made me recall a conversation I had with my brother, Billy Brooks.

I was with him this Thanksgiving, and this was the first time he actually shared with me all the problems he is having with his life, body, and the NFL.

I remember watching my brother on TV when I was in junior high - watching him get hit over and over. I watched my mother cringe whenever he went on the field. Now, some 25 years later, I’m watching him limp across the floor, working menial jobs, and falling deeper and deeper into a depression he desperately attempts to hide.

Billy was the 3rd overall pick in the 1978 NFL draft of the Cincinnati Bengals. During his years in Cincinnati, he played alongside current HBO “Inside the NFL” analyst, Chris Collinsworth, and later played for the San Diego Chargers, and finally the Houston Oilers. He sacrificed his body and mind, play after play, making phenomenal catches for the good of the team. I remember his body being tossed around like a rag doll and now, he has virtually nothing to show for it, except aching bones (a bad back and bad knees), and a seemingly broken spirit.

I read that your documentary is practically finished. However, if you could contact him where he now resides – back in his hometown of Austin, TX, I honestly can’t tell you how much it would mean for him. He has been battling with the NFL for disability, retirement assistance - just anything that would help him – with no luck. Although he was not personally a part of the episode I was watching, you were describing his situation perfectly.

Thank you for doing this. Please email me if you cannot reach Billy for an interview.

We know now he is not alone, although that is exactly how he feels.

Donna Robinson

[Donna Robinson]

Correction:
Please accept my apology regarding my brother stats. He was actually the 11th overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft to the Cincinnati Bengals.
I did not want Billy to know I was writing about his pain for the entire world to see, so in my haste to write this blog, I relied on my memory and did not ask my brother his stats.

[tobias wright]

this is a great thing for us older retired players as well as current players.