Brian Schaefering spent just five seasons in the NFL, but the physical demands of playing defensive end took their toll.
Schaefering had been dealing with chronic pain, and doctors recently diagnosed the 32-year-old St. Louis native with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Doctors recommended he get a service dog to assist him with his stability issues. Because much of his finances were tied up in his medical expenses — some of which were not covered by insurance — he did not have the money to obtain a dog.
So, he started a GoFundMe page asking for $3,000.