NFL Players Association taps Tulane University to provide medical services for former players

Tulane University School of Medicine is partnering with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), the union for the players of the National Football League, to provide medical services for The Trust, a new support program for former players, with an emphasis on overall health and successful transition from professional football.

The Trust staff counsels players through a wellness plan across six pillars: Brain and Body Health, Career Transition and Development, Education and Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Personal Interaction. The School of Medicine, including the Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine, along with the Cleveland Clinic and the University of North Carolina, have been tapped to provide medical evaluations and care as part of The Trust"s Brain and Body program.

“We are excited about the opportunity to help take care of former players who have given so much in their athletic careers,” said Dr. Gregory Stewart, executive director of The Trust program at Tulane University. “We"ll be a resource for full head-to-toe medical evaluations and ongoing support from a team committed to helping them develop and maintain a healthy brain and body.”

“Together with our partners, our staff and former player leadership, we can begin to address the important issues that face NFL players when they transition out of professional football,” said Bahati Van Pelt, The Trust executive director.

Some of the nation"s premiere organizations and providers have partnered with The Trust, including Athlete"s Performance, Athlife, Babson College, Financial Finesse, Hillard Heintze and SCORE.

“Throughout the collective bargaining process, active NFL players were committed to setting aside resources for professional programs and support to help them succeed in their careers beyond football,” said DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA. “We are proud that we can begin implementing that important vision through The Trust.”

The Trust has a comprehensive website featuring more program information and informative videos at www.playerstrust.com.