Centura Health partnered with the Living Heart Foundation and the National Football League Players Association to offer complimentary health screenings to former NFL players.
And 37 of them came out to Centura Health's Meridian Neighborhood Health Center on Sunday to take part.
Former Broncos linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, former quarterbacks Shawn Moore and Jake "the snake" Plummer and former cornerback Frank Robinson were among those who showed up for complimentary screenings and health care goal setting with Centura staff.
“I’m only 41. It’s never too early to take care of your health, right?” Plummer said in a statement.
Primary care providers and specialists from the Centura Health Physician Group offered several screenings to the players, including echocardiograms, carotid ultrasounds and CT calcium scores--all non-invasive heart-health screenings.
Dr. Arthur Roberts, a cardiac surgeon and former NFL quarterback, founded the Living Heart Foundation in 2001 after noticing there was no formal method for tracking health care outcomes for former pro-football players. Today, the foundation has helped more than 4,000 former NFL players keep on top of their heart health.
Roberts said former players, especially linemen, are at heightened risk for obesity-related conditions, including heart issues and sleep apnea.
“Archie started these clinics because football players are susceptible to heart disease because of their body mass, yet they feel invincible because of their strength," Scott Perryman chief operating officer of the Living Heart Foundation said in a statement. "They enjoy this team-oriented setting where they can reconnect with old buddies.”
Some even flew in from out of town for the free screenings.
“I live in Virginia but I flew in for the benefits of the testing. Seeing the buddies is a bonus," former Broncos quarterback Shawn Moore said in a statement.
Dr. Jason Kaiser, a Littleton chiropractor, former NFL and Canadian Football League player and the vice president of the NFLPA Denver Former Players Chapter praised the foundation's efforts to set health goals with the players.
"As athletes, we definitely know the value of setting objectives and working toward them.”
Multimedia business & healthcare reporter Chloe Aiello can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/chlobo_ilo.
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