The NBPA held a screening in the weight room of the Los Angeles Clippers' practice facility, administering EKGs and blood pressure tests, echocardiograms, a consultation with multiple physicians and cardiologists, and orthopedic evaluations to more than 40 former players.
The extensive testing, which can take several weeks to schedule and get results under normal circumstances, lasted roughly an hour-and-a-half to two hours, with results on the spot.
The players' association had screened more than 100 players heading into Saturday, with previous stops in Houston (the inaugural screening), Detroit, Atlanta, Orlando and Las Vegas. Trips to Dallas and New York are scheduled in the coming weeks.
"Every screening we've come to, I've had several retired players talk to me on the side or email us at the union and say, 'Thank you for putting this together. We really appreciate it,'" said Joe Rogowski, the players' union director of sports medicine and research. "They know that the players' union cares for them. Even though they're not part of the union anymore, the fact that we're still looking out for them means a lot to them."
After the deaths of Darryl Dawkins and Moses Malone last fall, there has been a heightened awareness around the league and among retired players regarding their post-career health risks, particularly high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.