How the NFLPA Helps Former Players

The following story appeared on NBC KARE 11’s (Minneapolis/St. Paul) website today. Former Viking Earsell Mackbee's final wish to go home grantedBy John Croman
Minneapolis, MN -- The 68-year-old man on the gurney rolling down the corridors at Hennepin County Medical Center Thursday afternoon could've been anyone, but once upon at time he wore number 46 for the Minnesota Vikings.Earsell Mackbee played cornerback for the Vikings from 1965 to 1971, leading the team in interceptions in 1967 and appearing in Superbowl IV. It was an NFL career delayed by four years he spent in the Air Force before finishing his college career at Utah State.In 2005 Mackbee suffered a stroke, and recently his condition worsened. "It's been a long, hard fight these last four years," Mackbee's daughter Marcee Harris said Thursday at HCMC, "A lot of ups and downs, a lot of hospitalizations and a lot of complications."On Thursday he was struggling with complications of pneumonia and an intestinal infection, as his children explained to the media why they were hoping to put him on an airplane to the west coast.When Mackbee still had voice he'd told his children that, when his time came, he'd rather die in his home town of Vallejo, California. Recently he continued to reinforce that last wish with nonverbal cues."He raises his eyebrows and he tries to smile or say something, or lift his hand a little bit," Harris said, "So we know we're doing the right thing for him."Mackbee grew up poor in a large family in that San Francisco Bay area city, an experience that later led him to work with at-risk youth at The City, Inc. after his pro football days ended. And yet the good memories of his youth tugged at his heart."He had a tough childhood," Harris said, "But he had so many funny and interesting, crazy stories from the neighborhood where he grew up, things with his brothers and sisters."His large extended family in California joined forces with his Minnesota children to try to make the voyage home a reality. Daughter Melanie Mackbee, who lives in northern California, said she had been working to get her father home for years."If he could make it that would be great," Melanie Mackbee told reporters, "I know his siblings want to say goodbye before he passes."With their father nearing death, Mackbee's children turned to the Internet and other resources to raise the money needed for a specialized medical flight to California. Mackbee's son Mateo said he was heartened by the outpouring of emotional support from old friends, but the cash wasn't coming in very quickly."We needed $26,000 to make the flight happen," son Mateo Mackbee said, "But because of the recent economic conditions we haven't been able to raise enough."Earlier in the week it appeared the clock was running down on Mackbee's final wish. And even if a money miracle came, his family worried he'd be too sick to fly. But Thursday morning they got their prayers were answered.They learned that the NFL Players Association would pick up most of the cost of the flight, through the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund. With time running short, a medical air taxi was booked immediately.Late Thursday afternoon HCMC staff rolled Mackbee out the front doors to a waiting ambulance, for his ride to Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport. The sight of the old Viking's final victory evoked a mixture of tears and joy for his kids."We're happy to be able to grant him his final wish," Marcee Harris said, "But we're also a little sad to know this may be the last time we see him."Mackbee's youngest son Jeremy Stewart rode in the plane with his dad to make sure he'd have a familiar face on hand, as well as someone who could understand his father's gestures and expressions.Thursday night Jeremy reported the plane had arrived safely in California. Mackbee was headed first to a skilled nursing facility. Doctors and nurses there planned to assess his condition and decide the best medical setting for him."We would like to thank the NFL Players Association for their financial support, kind words of comfort and encouragement in such a difficult time," the family said later in a statement, "Thank you for giving hope to so many families of former NFL players that have no voice or a place to go for help"The family also gave special thanks to the Professional Athletes Foundation and its manager Tyrone Allen.