“My anxiety is off the charts,” says Lucas, an analyst for SNY, ESPN and the Rutgers Radio Network. “I’m scared and I’m nervous about this, but I need to do this to be a better dad to my kids and a better husband to my wife. If I can get her to smile like she used to, it will be worth it.”

In a profile that appeared in the Daily News in September, Lucas talked about the pain and depression he has suffered since he retired from the NFL after the 2003 season. He became dependent on painkillers to dull his physical and emotional distress, but even high dosages didn’t bring relief.

– Michael O’Keeffe, N.Y. Daily News.

I don’t know Lucas, even though he works here. Since the Jets’ crew is normally in during the evenings and on weekends, our hours don’t often overlap. And I missed this Daily News feature in September, which detailed Lucas’ struggles with pain and injuries and noted his lack of health insurance. NFL players are covered for only five years after they retire, one of the issues the union hopes to address in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement.

Painkiller abuse and addiction is a league-wide problem. Former Eagles lineman Sam Rayburn was taking more than 100 prescription painkillers a day before he got arrested and got help.

I don’t even know where to begin, really. It’s not in the NFL’s best financial interest to insure all its ex-players for a long time — at least so long as the league can shoulder the PR hit — so the onus really falls on the NFLPA to force the league to provide better long-term care. As of 2006, the average life expectancy for a former NFL player was 55.

You can follow along with Lucas’ rehab at his official Facebook page.