<><><> meet the team <><><>

Thomas was born in a small town on the North Shore of Boston, MA. Soon after, his family moved down to Fort Myers, FL where he grew up playing every sport under the Florida sun. He excelled in high school as a standout athlete, earning multiple all-state honors in both Baseball and Soccer.

DiBenedetto then attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he played baseball and earned a B.A. in Economics. As a 4-year starting shortstop for The Trinity Bantams, he earned 1st Team All-New England honors and helped the Bantams capture The 2008 NCAA D-III National Championship. Upon completing his degree in 2008, he was drafted by The Boston Red Sox and played professionally for 8 years thereafter.  During the final two seasons of his playing career, he doubled as a student, completing a Masters degree in Sport Management from The University of Florida in 2017.

When the time came to hang up the spikes, DiBenedetto continued to follow his passion for sports, remaining connected to the pro sports world professionally in a range of professional roles, serving as a pro-scout and analytics consultant with The Baltimore Orioles, as well as an assistant coach with multiple NCAA D1 programs.

More recently, DiBenedetto (who holds accreditation as a Recovery Residence Advisor in both Florida and Georgia), has shifted his focus to helping former pro athletes, and has spent the last 3 years immersing himself in what he describes as the “NFL Disability Puzzle.” During this time, he has served as an NFL Disabilities Consultant, aiding more than 150 NFL players through various stages of The NFL Disability Benefits process, developing an advanced understanding of the nuances governing the three NFL Player Benefits sectors consisting of: -- “Line of Duty” -- “Total & Permanent” --“Neurocognitive”--  categories.

“The ability to play an integral role in helping former NFL players, many of which are struggling financially and emotionally, get to a better place, and secure the financial benefits they deserve,  is what makes the Gridiron Benefits mission so rewarding."

Dean grew up in a small northeastern town outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  He and his family have always been avid football fans and had a true love of the game.  From a young age, he recalls the beauty and brutality of the game.  Dean played high school football at the receiver and cornerback positions.  

After high school, he traveled to the Midwest for college, attending the University of Michigan.  At Michigan Dean focused on pre-medical and pre-law courses, while making sure to attend as many games in the Big House as he could.  After graduating from Michigan, he went to law school at the Florida State University College of Law, immediately followed with passing the Florida Bar and becoming an attorney.  

Dean has practiced law as a trial lawyer and litigator for over a decade, focusing on defending the accused while also handling a variety of injury cases.  He has now focused his life and career on the game he loves, diverting his efforts from helping the accused and personally injured, to helping former athletes receive the benefits they deserve after dedicating their lives to sport and the entertainment of others.

Dr. Rich Diana is highly trained orthopedic surgeon. His specialized Orthopedic and surgical training, combined with his unique history playing in The NFL with The Miami Dolphins, uniquely qualifies him to ensure our NFL client medical records and images are examined by both a highly recognized orthopedic surgeon as well as someone that  truly understands The NFL and impact of the game on the human body.

(Name withheld for online privacy, will be disclosed with client during consultation).

• M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Radiology Regional. Graduated magna cum laude from CCNY Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. 
• Certified by the American Board of Radiology and has also received a Certification of Added Qualification in Interventional and Vascular Radiology. A Gridiron Benefits Partner, provides convenient MRI / X-RAY Imaging for GIB Clients

• Dr. Max Blanter received his medical degree from the highly acclaimed New York Medical College. 
• Dr. Blanter currently practices in Seattle, Washington at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, a top medical center recognized year after year for numerous awards in excellence.