When the Cheering Stops

In this book, players open up about the difficulties they face once they leave the NFL. Personal interviews reveal how many have struggled with finances, addiction, depression, violence, and finding a second career. While success stories are also shared, the unfortunate truth is that there are far more players left hurt and broken after retirement.

Gay Culverhouse was an executive for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ten years, including president from 1991 to 1994. For many of those years, she was the highest ranking woman in the National Football League. Culverhouse testified before the House Judiciary Committee on the legal issues relating to football head injuries, and soon after founded the Gay Culverhouse Players Outreach Program, Inc. (now Retired Player Assistance, Inc.). This program assists retired NFL players in accessing the benefits to which they may be entitled by the NFL. She is the author of Throwaway Players: The Concussion Crisis From Pee Wee Football to the NFL.

Foreword by Jeff Dahl, member of Retired Players Assistance Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Why Me? Chapter 2: Transition Chapter 3: Health in the Locker Room Chapter 4: Racial Disparity Chapter 5: NFL Benefits Chapter 6: Concussions and the NFL Settlement Chapter 7: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Chapter 8: Drugs Addictions Chapter 9: Domestic Violence Chapter 10: Success versus Bankruptcy Conclusion Notes Bibliography About the Author