Houston Radio: Greg Koch EXITS Sports KBME

Greg Koch

Former NFL offensive lineman Greg Koch said Monday he will leave his midday sports talk show on KBME 790 AM after this week to focus on his health after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, reports The Houston Chronicle.

Koch, 64, who has hosted on KBME since 2012 with former NFL defensive lineman N.D. Kalu, said he was diagnosed a year ago with Parkinson’s after suffering for more than a decade from what he now recognizes as symptoms of the disease.

“It’s a slow, progressive disease, and one of the ways to attack it is through strenuous exercise,” Koch said. “The problem is that you don’t feel like exercising because you’re aching. You’re stiff in all the wrong places.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately, and I have to get back to where I’m feeling good.”

Koch is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame and was selected by the website PackersNews.com as the 67th-rated player in the team’s history.

Parkinson’s can arise from genetic and environmental causes, and researchers have acknowledged a link between brain injuries and increased risk for the disease. Koch said he received a settlement from the NFL and also will benefit from the NFL’s 88 Plan, which assists former players suffering from dementia, ALS and Parkinson’s.

Koch said other manifestations of the disease include a tremor in one hand and what he described as difficulties with coming up with the right words to say while on the air.

This will be my last week doing In The Trenches....time to concentrate on my health....ill thank everyone who made this such a joy to do as the week rolls on... https://t.co/s0O9tywUdi

— Greg Koch (@gregkoch1) December 2, 2019

Koch announced his decision on Monday’s show and discussed it with listeners. The station posted the segment online but had no immediate comment on plans for the show after Koch’s departure