Former Orange football star Tim Green makes statement on ALS diagnosis, “60 Minutes” appearance

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Attorney Tim Green, who is also an author and a former Syracuse Orange and NFL gridiron star, says he’s been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Green, an attorney with Syracuse–based law firm Barclay Damon LLP, plans to discuss his situation on this Sunday’s “60 Minutes” broadcast on CBS. Besides his work with Barclay Damon, Green is also a managing partner with the criminal-defense law firm that brands itself as TeamGreenLawyers.

In advance of the interview, Green on Thursday afternoon issued a statement through Barclay Damon.

The Liverpool High School and Syracuse University graduate says he’s been coping with some neurological problems in his hands “for the past five years.”

At first, doctors thought it was the result of damage done to his elbows during his football playing days, “so they operated to release the nerves.” Green played for Syracuse and then eight years for the Atlanta Falcons.

However, Green says “the issue persisted” and his voice started to weaken. He cited that development as “the only reason I’ve had to stop visiting schools across the country.”

Green goes on to say that he’s been diagnosed with a “slow-progressing form of ALS.”

“Like many conditions, ALS has different forms. While of course I’d rather not have it at all, I am extremely grateful that mine is a slow-progressing version of the disease. I chose to keep my diagnosis private because ALS has such frightening connotations. I don’t want sympathy. Honestly, I prefer not to talk about it. It is what it is, another challenge to overcome. I am thankful that my mind is as sound as ever. I will keep working on my law practice, unabated and as tenaciously as ever. I continue to write every day. In fact, I am currently working on book #3 in the Baseball Genius series, and I have a football book to write after that,” Green said in the statement.

Dr. Merit Cudkowicz with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston is treating Green. He describes her as “one of the top ALS specialists in the world.”

Funding research

As his statement continues, Green notes that “ALS research is grossly underfunded.”

“Together, with friends like you, we can make a huge difference to those with the disease and those who will have it in the future. As always, I will spend the coming days and years counting the blessings I have instead of pining for the things I don’t. Today I will take a walk. I will work and write and kiss each of my kids as well as my beautiful wife. That’s a great day. As good as it gets…” says Green.

In the “60 Minutes” interview, Green will explain how he’s focusing his efforts to help raise awareness. He’ll also discuss his TACKLE ALS fundraiser that he and his family have started to support research and treatments for the thousands of people who are fighting this disease.

One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to the ALS research center at Massachusetts General Hospital, which has one of the leading ALS research teams in the world.

The TACKLE ALS fundraiser website will go live on Sunday at website www.TACKLEALS.com, per Green’s statement.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com