News
RayField Wright, retired Dallas Cowboy faces dementia
Rayfield Wright, a retired Dallas Cowboy and Football Hall of Fame member, faces dementia. Wright, now 68, played for the Cowboys from 1967-1979. He has two Super Bowl rings in size 16 through which a quarter can easily pass. His retirement was brought on by the effects of multiple concussions which was affecting his memory. A member of the former NFL players lawsuit group, Wright has lost count of his concussions and recently in an interview commented: “so many I couldn’t even count them”. Still a imposing presence at 6’7″ and 265 pounds, Wright is only a few pounds heavier than his playing weight, but is troubled by his cognitive decline and seizures and he now he limits his public appearances. In 2012 Wright was diagnosed with Dementia, but periodically forgets what is wrong with him and slips into tears when he experiences periods of confusion.This giant of football has become dependent on a former girlfriend, now caretaker, to get through the day.
In addition to his cognitive and mental health problems which are likely related to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE, Wright has been plagued with financial problems, including uncovered medical costs. The NFL lawsuit may bring Wright some financial relief, but it will never adequately compensate him for the losses related to his multiple concussions. The NFL lawsuit has “bogged down” with the Judge requesting additional information to support the proposed settlements which are scaled by age of the person and the disabling condition. Recently Rayfield Wright brought his deteriorating mental health situation to the public’s attention. He remains one of football’s all-time greats, but he may not soon remember the game.
Click here to read the New York Times story.
