1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Broken Bucs: '79 Players From Fame To Pain
Reporters: Mary Shedden, Joey Johnston, Ira Kaufman, Joe Henderson Photojournalists: Cliff McBride, Bob Hansen, Chris Urso Artists: David Williams, Angus Shafer, Brian McGill TBO.com artists/producers: Tim Price, Aaron Knox WFLA reporters/producers: Shannon Liston, Jeff Patterson
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
The Tampa Tribune, July 25, 2010 TBO.com, July 25, 2010 WFLA-TV, July 26-29, 2010
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Few people equate the thrill of a Sunday afternoon football game with debilitating pain and potential brain damage. But this Tampa Tribune investigation of the 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought home a national story to this football-obsessed community: Generations of former National Football League players struggle with the long-term mental and physical consequences of the game they love. A team of multimedia reporters and photographers from the Tribune and WFLA, News Channel 8 and TBO.com spent months compiling and distributing a survey to the 1979 Bucs about their playing careers, injuries and current health. Reporters located nearly all 46 of the living members of that year's squad, and were able to conduct extensive follow-up interviews, including a five-player round table discussion at the News Center studio. What they found was a group of men in their 50s, living in pain and some showing signs of early cognitive impairment. Bad knees, chronic back pain and arthritis are rampant. More so, some are frightened and angered by the damage from all the head-jarring hits scientists now know can have deadly consequences. The Tampa Tribune launched the project on July 25, supported by an extensive presence on TBO.com. Print graphics were animated into informative and original Flash graphics; subsequent TV stories were posted onto the page, as was additional raw footage from former player interviews. Twitter and facebook feeds on the special report continue today, updating readers about the ongoing sports concussion debate.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
This is the first known time the long-term comprehensive health of one NFL squad had been assessed and featured by a media organization. A lot of up-front research and planning was required to establish a credible study. Health reporter Mary Shedden developed the survey based on interviews with medical experts, the pre-participation exam endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and questions asked by an independent NFL player alumni disability reimbursement group. Interviews were conducted with many of the leading scientists in this emerging area of science; and survey results were validated by much of the ongoing research. More importantly, the project personalized the high-profile issue with the sometimes heart-breaking stories of players considered heroes to legions of Buccaneer fans. It took a combination of old-fashioned shoe-leather report and national database research to locate players who slipped into anonymity after their NFL playing days. Also, more than a decade of scientific research and publications related to the short- and long-term athlete health was reviewed.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Interviews with the ‘79 Bucs players were the heart of this project, and offered a unique perspective into how some of the former gladiators now resent the game and the NFL that used to sign their paycheck. Medical experts, especially those researching the impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, were interviewed, as was the widow of another Buccaneer, who died as result of the degenerative brain disorder. NFL officials and the doctor who treated the 1979 players on the sidelines also were questioned.
6. Results (if any).
As a result of this project, some ‘79 Bucs were able reconnect, and initiated new disability claims via a local support group. It also led to a second Tampa Tribune project highlighting the risk of concussions in high school and new policies aimed at preventing head injuries. Follow-up stories are ongoing, focusing on local concussion studies and efforts to implement new state safety rules.
7. Follow-up (if any).
Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain. None
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don't underestimate the value of planning. A lot of planning and conversations with research scientists can help journalists develop a credible survey. Also, local newspapers must tap on reporters with diverse skill sets to pull off a project at this scale. Sports reporters and health reporters can compliment each others' work by tapping on varied sources and experience. None of the project's team members were pulled off regular assignments during the reporting and writing of this project. It took a lot of communication and effort to make sure the project continued to move forward and paused for breaking news.