Parkinson's Disease
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Sports
TMC-4 — 9 years ago(January 20, 2017 06:39 PM)
Parkinson's Disease
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mark-gastineau-suffering-dementia-alzheimer-parkinson-article-1.2950838
Jets legend Mark Gastineau has revealed that he is suffering from serious health problems.
When my results came back, I had dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons, the former Jets defensive lineman said on WOR Thursday evening. Those were three things that I have.
Gastineau said he received the diagnoses roughly a year ago and traced his illnesses back to football.
You know, my first reaction was that I didnt believe it. I couldnt believe it, Gastineau told the Daily News in a phone interview Thursday night. My second reaction was how can I help other people coming in to the NFL? Thats what its all about.
The former defensive lineman believes football can now be played safely and aims to educate young football players.
I know that theres techniques out there that if I would have had em, if I would have had the techniques out there that Im teaching now to these kids, I know I would not be probablyI know I wouldnt have the results that I have now, he said on the radio.
I led with my head all the time, Gastineau added.
Gastineau, 60, played 10 years for the Jets and was part of the famed New York Sack Exchange.
The former Jet is now an ambassador for USA Football, a role hes held for several years, and advocates for it and the Heads Up Football program as a way to promote and increase safety in youth football.
The only reason I would allow my child to play is because of this USAFootball.com, he said. I would not allow my child to play if I did not have this Heads Up Football. Theres no way in the world. You cannot expect your child to not be injured if you do not enter this program. If a high school doesnt have this program, there should not be a program.
USA Football is a youth football organization and Heads Up Football is a joint program of the NFL and USA Football to improve the safety of the youth game.
Its something I want every player who goes out and plays to be protected in the best way that they can be protected, he said.
Gastineau said he wanted his own health problems to be a warning" to parents.
I dont want (my diagnosis) to over shadow the Heads Up Program," he said. "I want it to be a warning to mothers and fathers to be able to put their kids in the safe places to be able to carry on a team sports that I think is going to be way more beneficial for them than if they didnt have it in their lives.
The former defensive lineman was enshrined in the Jets Ring of Honor in 2012. He gave an eclectic speech during halftime of the Jets Monday night loss to the Texans in October of that year when he was inducted alongside former wideout Wesley Walker.
I think that the Lord put me on this Earth to show that you can be a great player, have all the sacks in the worldand at the end of your life you get news like this and you can turn it into bad, or you can turn it into good, Gastineau told the News.