'Blood Equity' The heavy toll of playing pro football

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-capsules20-2009nov20,0,7071132.story


"Everybody who plays leaves with something," says retired New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson in the documentary "Blood Equity" but, sadly, he doesn't mean a glorious pension or athletic pride. He's referring to the physical and mental struggles of ex-football players who feel monetarily neglected by the now $7.1-billion sport and its union when, as studies increasingly show, the game's built-in brutality -- and fierce pride in playing injured -- leads to a post-career life of constant medical care.

The outrage expressed by interviewees Carson, Mike Ditka, Daryl Johnston, Donnie Green and others -- whether offering personal tales of woe or sticking up for others -- is directed mostly at NFL Players Assn. head Gene Upshaw, who notoriously denied a connection between game-time concussions and increased instances of dementia among retirees. (Footage of Baltimore Colts legend John Mackey not recognizing family photos is especially heartbreaking.)

Upshaw died last year, though, which indicates that director Michael Felix and ex-NFL linebacker/coach Roman Phifer, who produced, could have updated their advocacy to reflect the latest efforts to address this problem. But as rough-hewn and stylistically awkward as the film is -- editing car crash sound effects over nasty on-field collisions -- the stories make for gripping testimony.

-- Robert Abele "Blood Equity.

SUPERBOWL CHAMP’S CONTROVERSIAL FILM ABOUT NFL PLAYER INJURIES HITS THEATERS NOVEMBER 20TH

LOS ANGELES, California – November 10, 2009 – Three time Super Bowl Champion Roman Phifer’s controversial film about NFL Player Injuries hits theaters Nov. 20, 2009.

Beverly Hills based WALKING SHADOWS has announced the theatrical release of BLOOD EQUITY, Super Bowl Champ Roman Phifer’s controversial film about NFL Player Injuries – an exposé of the dark side of the NFL, America's Biggest Blood Sport. The film begins its theatrical run on November 20th, 2009 at Los Angeles’s prestigious Laemmles Sunset 5, 8000 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048. For show times, check local listings or visit www.laemmle.com.

In recent days, NFL injuries and the "safety" epidemic have caught the attention of Congress, the media, and the nation at large, with outlets such as 60 Minutes, the New York Times, and New Yorker Magazine devoting intensive coverage to the controversial congressional hearings attacking the NFL for its negligence towards its star employees.

Roman Phifer, three time Super Bowl Champion and Assistant Coach for the Denver Broncos, and his business partners Rico McClinton and Joe Ruggiero - produced BLOOD EQUITY, a hard-hitting film that focuses on the issues facing former NFL Players following their retirement, including their ironic struggle against the NFL Player's Union and the team owners they made rich.

The film features intense, passionate interviews with such notables as Mike Ditka (Player Super Bowl V, VI; Coach Super Bowl XX), Harry Carson (Super Bowl XXI), Willie Wood (Super Bowl XXIV), Cyril Smith, Donnie Green, Tony Dorsett (Super Bowl XXXVII), Darryl Johnston (Super Bowl XXX) who share heartfelt and personal testimonies of living their dreams as NFL players – as well as the dark side of that life and some of the unforeseen nightmares.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of BLOOD EQUITY benefit the Gridiron Greats. The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation, established to provide financial assistance and coordinate social services to retired NFL players in dire need of support. To learn more about the GGAF and ways to support its efforts, contact Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, info@gridirongreats.org or www.gridirongreats.org/donate/

The film will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray December 1st, 2009, and is already available for to pre-order on Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, and many others. It will debut on iTunes and Hulu shortly thereafter.

More information on BLOOD EQUITY at: www.walking-shadows.com/bloodequity

Find us on Facebook and Become a Fan of BLOOD EQUITY:

www.facebook.com/pages/Beverly-Hills-CA/Blood-Equity/168698562726

Short Trailer (00:20): www.vimeo.com/7259853

Theatrical Trailer (02:30): www.vimeo.com/7130092

For any inquiries other than Press (theatrical bookings, film festivals, distribution and sales inquiries (domestic or abroad)), please contact:

WALKING SHADOWS LLC

9595 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2509

310-855-3366 phone • 310-855-3656 fax

www.walking-shadows.com • info@walking-shadows.com

Blood Equity - HBO

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Producers Roman Phifer and Rico McClinton discuss the dangers of NFL injuries and why they support the movement to extended health care benefits to all NFL Players, current and retired.