WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- The simplest tasks don't come as easy these days for NFL Hall of Famer and Seven-time Pro Bowler Warren Sapp.
"It's certain days that I just don't remember certain things like where I'm going, or grocery lists I must have now. Just little things...", says Sapp. He's donating his brain for CTE research and dedicated to helping to make football and the NFL better in his retirement years.
Sapp says referring to donating his brain, "They can have it!"
"Some of us in the game are hurting, and the loved ones that now have to get those Hall of Fame guys from the casino or thier favorite spot because they don't know how to get home... we're not gonna have that. We're gonna make sure that we combat this thing", adds Sapp.
Sapp and Brigadier General Donald Bolduc (retired), former Commander of American Special Forces in Africa, are teaming up and partnering with Cohen Veterans Bioscience. Both men participated in the 2nd Annual Cohen Veteran Care Summit held in DC.
Sapp is determined to raise full awareness, "With the General and myself, we're not taking 'no' for no answer and we're not taking no tough guys telling us that, 'we don't need no help' yes we do! We're gonna need some help and we're gonna get some help, and we're gonna make sure that we're all in a better situation."
Brigadier General Bolduc says, "This is hugely important because it affects the military mission, it affects our people and it affects our families."
General Bolduc suffered from the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for a long time along with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from helicopter crashes and blast injuries.
"It wasn't until 4 years ago where my wife came forward and said, 'hey listen, we can't take it anymore. The kids can't take it, I can't take it, the dog and cat can't take it and we really need you to go get some help", says General Bolduc.
He sought help and realized that it was not enough. As a general officer he wanted to use the help that he received to help others. So he went back to the leaders of his unit and started a plan to identify soldiers with PTSD, TBI, pain management issues, and sleep disorder issues.
"In order for us to ensure that they get the treatment therapies and get the help that they need, it's important for senior leaders to come out and lead the way on this", adds General Bolduc.
One of the goals is to help destigmatize PTSD, as it will help more soldiers move into a better life balance both professionally and personally.
"I have as well donated my entire body to science when I die," General Bolduc explains as he underwent bi-lateral hip replacements, had 3 cervical discs replacements, and received cadaver tissue from people who donated.
"My body has been healed by the generosity of others, and so I want to turn around and do the same thing."
Sapp says, "We found CTE in a 17-year-old. That's the thing... we have to get this information out... because for so long, the powers to be told me (that) I had just as much chance of getting a brain injury sitting on this couch as I did on a Sunday afternoon. And we know that's not to be the facts."
"We wanna help our Sunday afternoon heroes and the real heroes that go out and stand on the post and say, 'Not on my watch!'", adds Sapp.
For more information go to www.cohenveteransbioscience.org
