Former NFL linebacker, and McDonough resident, Willie Blackwell has spent his lifetime helping others, now he's asking for help.
In football, statistics usually tell the story and are a predictor of wins and losses. In the world of organ transplants, stats can mean life and death.
In total, even during a pandemic, health care teams across the country performed 39,036 transplants with organs from both deceased and living donors in 2020. As a Stage 4 patient, needing a transplant, Blackwell is waiting for his turn.
The soft-spoken Blackwell's football career began at Morris Brown in the early 1970s, and that turned into three seasons in the NFL after being drafted by Washington. Blackwell was a serviceable NFL player, but after three injuries in three seasons and being on three different teams, it turns out, football is just a small part of the Willie Blackwell story.
After football he spent four decades as a successful businessman and ordained minister in Atlanta.
Blackwell says this is where he developed the love of helping others.
"I've tried to help with many causes. From literacy to youth sports and more. But now this is about educating people (on) the importance of donating organs. In short, there is a kidney exchange program if there is a match."
His kidney problems actually started in 1999, when the father of three children experienced ongoing pains in his left side. He had kidney cancer and one was removed. He has lived for the past 22 years with only one kidney that is currently functioning at about 20 percent.
That complicates matters, so while waiting for a possible match, Blackwell is doing everything possible to remain healthy and his "clean living" is helping his odds.
"My kidney performance has improved," added Blackwell. I've avoided dialysis because of my lifestyle. I'm eating right and exercising regularly."
Blackwell's family and friends have turned to the media, social media and the NFL Player's Association to get the word out and possible volunteers are coming forward and casting a wide net. Other NFL players and former teammates are helping too.
"It's about numbers," explained Blackwell. "The problem is the awareness of kidney donations. There are people that have come forward, but either they aren't a match or have health problems themselves."
For years, Blackwell served as a volunteer chaplain at Morris Brown, his alma mater, and Clark Atlanta University. He also has given guidance to Atlanta Falcon players under the Dan Reeves regime. In 1995, then-Gov. Zell Miller gave Blackwell a top Literacy Award for his volunteer literacy services while employed at Dobbs International Food Service — now called Gate Gourmet Food Service.
Visit PiedmontLivingDonor.org to register.
