Retired NFL fullback Le'Ron McClain pleads for help: 'I have to get my head checked'
Le’Ron McClain issued a cry for help on Saturday morning. The retired fullback, who played in the NFL for seven years for the Chiefs, Ravens and Chargers, took to Twitter to share his feelings in a moment of what seemed to be tremendous pain.
“I have to get my head checked,” McClain tweeted at 6:30 a.m. ET. “Playing fullback since high school. Its takes too (expletive) much to do anything. My brain is fucking tired…. @NFL i need some help with this shyt. Dark times and its showing. (Expletive) help me please!! They dont care I had to get lawyers man! … Like im mad im pissed im crying im upset im a (expletive) mess!!!! Please man.”
Since McClain’s retirement, players have settled a class-action lawsuit with the NFL meant to provide support for ex-players dealing with the lasting impact of head trauma caused by football. Here’s what is written about the intent of that settlement on the NFL concussion settlement website:
“Retired NFL Football Players received head trauma or injuries during their NFL Football careers, which caused or may cause them long-term neurological problems. They accused the NFL Parties of being aware of the evidence and the risks associated with repetitive traumatic brain injuries, but failing to warn and protect players against those long-term risks and ignoring and concealing this information from players.”
As a part of the settlement, the NFL has offered claimants up to $5 million in compensation for former players who are dealing with diseases related to football-sustained head injuries, including cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As of July 1, claimants received an average of $564,447 per claim, with 915 claims netting $516,469,342, per a summary report. It’s unclear if McClain is a part of that settlement.
“Need to tell my story of how my head is crazy and how football did it…. Please someone help me get this out the @NFL puts paperwork in out faces and thats it. Yes its programs (expletive) all that I need help now I need a plan….. (Expletive) Man. They don’t (expletive) get it man,” McClain wrote.
“Watch how fast they come to aid if I was som3 QB or anything but no I was (expletive) fullback that did it all. @NFL I need help and i need the process to speed the (expletive) up Im about to crash out and its paperwork I dont wanna hear it. (Expletive) man im done…. Im out.”
While this series of tweets portrayed a terrifying sentiment, McClain concluded on a more positive note.
“God be with me. I got this I got this.. . . . Man had a moment but just know Imma fight this thing and block it like im blocking 60 Pwr on the goaline. We gonna score!!!! I got this. Its just LiFE. #AlphaMental…. Thank you to my biscuit lol. Control what I control.”