MY TEAMMATES BATTLES

 In Larry's Blog, Uncategorized

On Tuesday, my teammate, Nick Buoniconti, went public regarding his current health challenges in an article with Sports Illustrated online.  Subsequently, stories have been published on my running mate, Jim Kiick, as well.

I usually see my teammates at the Dolphins alumni event each year so I was aware of some issues with both men.  However, I wasn’t aware of the extensive problems both have been dealing with, especially with Nick.  Learning this, of course, saddens me a great deal.

I’ve seen Jim the past few years at games.  In fact, I was at a game last fall with both Jim and Mercury and had a great visit.   I always ask how his health is and how he’s doing with the rest of his life.  We might discuss typical health issues a lot of us experience at our age but he always assures me that he’s, basically, doing fine in all aspects.   When Jim and Mercury Morris joined me in Alaska a few years ago to tape an episode for NFL Films, “A Football Life,” I noticed Jim was grumpier than usual and worrying more about small details.  That wasn’t like the Jim Kiick I knew and played along side of.  When I asked him about it, he joked and said he liked being a grumpy old man!  

As the media has written, Jim is in an assisted living facility in South Florida.  I’m glad he’s there.  He needs part-time care.  However, he’s not as bad off, at this point, as the media has depicted.  At times he requires more attention than others but I know he and Mercury visit, go out for subs and hang out fairly often without any issues.  Jim can still function in that capacity and enjoy life with his friends.  What the future holds?  We don’t know.  

Jim has been diagnosed with dementia/early onset Alzheimer’s and suspected CTE.  After a multitude of testing, Nick’s exact diagnosis is still ongoing.  Each are dealing with different challenges.

#85 Nick Buoniconti

Football was a much more dangerous sport when we played than it is today.  Unfortunately, many of us from that era are now paying the price.  I’ve been lucky so far and count my blessings daily.  However, I realize I have some of the same risk factors as others who played on the gridiron.  I continue to exercise, eat right and take supplements for good brain health.  I have several aches and pains but I, basically, feel good and try to maintain a positive outlook on my future.

I believe football is a safer game now.  On one hand, I don’t like how new rules have changed the game I knew and played but if the changes truly make the game safer, then it’s worth it!  I’ve always maintained (and sometimes with great controversy) kids shouldn’t play tackle football until junior high for a few reasons.  In many cases, they are not well coached and, more importantly, not properly equipped.  A child running around on a Pop Warner field with a sloppy helmet isn’t cute to me….it’s an outrage!  Also, recent research points to young brains being at the highest risk of lasting effects from trauma.  Young, developing brains cannot withstand that kind of hit without some repercussions sometime in their life (according to research I’ve read.)

Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris in Alaska during the filming of “A Football Life” with NFL Films

Jim and Nick are great friends of mine.  Even though we only occasionally see each other, I think of them and my other teammates often.  We shared a unique bond for an extraordinary period of time in our lives and still share in the historic success of our team.  I hope better times come for both of them and I look forward to another visit this fall.

#39 Larry Csonka #21 Jim Kiick in Super Bowl VIII

ZONK

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