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Dave Pear: Thoughts after the press conference Dave Pear: Letter to Gridiron Greats & Fans
Dave Pear: White Pages Point by Point
Roger Goodell Reaches Out to Dave Pear
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
DAVE PEAR OPEN LETTER: HIS TRUTH
By: Dave Pear NFL player 1975-80 (Current status, social security disability)
The article below is how my," line of duty disability application" was handled in 1983. That was 25 years ago. I left football because of a serious neck injury in 1979 I received playing pro football. On my own in 1981 I went to the Stanford Medical center in California and had the Dean of neurosurgery drill the bulging disc out of my neck. But the deceitful, evil and cruel process by the disability board made sure that My family was unfairly denied disability. I made a choice to play football but my family did not make the choice.
Again in 1995 when I applied for:"total and permanent disability", the disability process continued to cheat my family. I was once again sent to their doctor for an examination. Dr. Unger in his report writes the type of employment I can engage in, "sedentary, no excessive standing, no bending and no lifting over #15. must be able to rest frequently". I was never able to find this type of job. In fact, this type of job doesn't even exist. I was told by the NFLPA, that unless I was in a wheel chair, I wouldn't receive the benefit. I was duped into taking early retirement. How was I suppose to help pay for my medical bills? My medical bills were huge. For the last 28 years I have spent over $500,000 of my own money on medical operations and physical therapy, prescriptions and the list goes on and on. It all started in 1979 when I played for the Oakland Raiders and on 9/16/79 I seriously injured my neck. The Raiders refused to acknowledge the injury and I had to seek treatment on my own, before and after practice. This is time and money that I should have spent on my family. This has and continues to cause a hardship for my family.
On 9/28/07 I faxed a 48 page fax to: Roger Goodell, Gene Upshaw, Lanny Davis, and Brig Owens. The fax consisted of the following:
1) My spine surgery medical report from the Stanford medical center dated 12/5/81 on my neck. This was only a few months after the Raiders turned their back on me and also pushed me out the door with a serious neck injury.
2) My spine surgery medical report in 1984 on my neck. (fusion)
3) My spine surgery medical report in 1987 on my low back. (knott rods)
4) My spine surgery medical report in 1989 on my low back. (fusion)
5) My spine surgery medical report in 1989 on my low back. (bone stimulator)
6) My spine surgery medical report in 1994 on my low back. (disc removal)
7) My spine surgery medical report in 2007 on my low back. (fusion and 4 screws)
8) Medical report explaining that I need a total left hip replacement once my fusion is solid from 4/3/07 on my low back
9) Medical report explaining that I need the 4 screws removed from my back
10) Medical report explaining that I will also need a right hip replacement
11) My line of duty examination 6/23/83. I met the requirements but was denied the benefit
12) My total and permanent disability examination on 8/31/95. There was no job known to mankind that I was able to do with the limitations from their doctor but once again I was wrongly denied.
13) Numerous other doctor reports and second opinions ALL stating the same thing. My injuries were from playing pro football, I was totally disabled and needed surgery on different parts of my spine and body.
14) Social security disability award dated 1/8/04. (I was 51 years old at the time. I am now 54)
15) Social security disability determination report given by Kathie Morton, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychologist). In her report she states," Amnestic disorder due to repeated head injuries, possible strokes". "Numerous head injuries; spinal injuries resulting in six operations; Meuniere's disease, sleep problems". "No health insurance, chronic pain, somewhat isolated". Prognosis: Mr. Pear's prognosis is extremely poor. He has clearly experienced significant memory impairment as the result of repeated head injuries, and he may also have had some strokes". "His functioning sounds as though it is becoming gradually worse". "He may also be displaying signs of early onset dementia". "In addition, his physical health is extremely poor due to numerous injuries resulting in chronic pain and limited mobility". "He is unable to stay awake for any significant length of time". "He should be considered permanently disabled"." It is fortunate that he has the support of his wife. although caring for Mr. Pear will continue to become increasingly difficult if his functioning continues to decrease".
This has and continues to cause a hardship for my family. The NFL owes my family disability benefits starting back in 1983 when they cheated them out of my line of duty disability. Every day that passes they steal money from my family. How can the NFL turn their back on families that made the game what it is today? A $7,000,000,000 a year business and growing.
I have available the 48 page fax that I sent to: Roger Goodell. Gene Upshaw, Lanny Davis and Brig Owens. These documents are available on request email gridirongreats24@aol.com This will show how deceitful, cruel and evil the disability process truly is.
Dave and Heidi Pear
