Post-football Career Health Problems
Mackey suffered from frontotemporal dementia, which made him particularly protective of personal possessions and suspicious of anyone who tried to control his actions. During the 2006 NFL season, Mackey was reported by family members to be confused and angered when seeing Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison wearing the same #88 jersey that Mackey used to wear.
At age 65 Mackey's dementia forced him to live in a full-time assisted living facility. NFL Players Association initially refused to pay a disability income due to there not being a proven link between brain injury and playing football. The league and the NFL Players' Association have responded with the "88 plan" – named after Mackey's number. It provides $88,000 per year for nursing home care and up to $50,000 annually for adult day care. Mackey died July 6, 2011 at the age of 69 of frontotemporal dementia.
Read more about this topic: John Mackey (American Football)
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