The rumble

Former Chiefs-Vikings-Jets fullback and new SNY analyst Tony Richardson, one of the NFL's most respected players over the course of his 17 seasons, has mixed emotions over the NFL's $765 million concussion settlement.

"It's win — at the end of the day, we didn't have anything," T-Rich told The Rumble yesterday. "At least we can get more education on concussions and some resources for the guys in bad shape who need it right now.

"In the grand scheme, you look at the revenues generated through the National Football League, you kinda look at it as a win for the owners. There's so much more we still can do, and so much revenue still available."

Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Tony Richardson

Richardson, who was a player rep for 14 years and served on the NFLPA's executive committee, was involved in many head-on collisions as an old-school 238-pound fullback. But a head injury was often called a ding for a long time, and not a concussion.

"I probably should be the poster boy," Richardson said. "You bang your head up against a wall, you're gonna see some stars. You can imagine with a helmet on, you're definitely gonna see some lights flashing."

T-Rich, 41, recalls one particular episode running down on a kickoff against fellow fullback Mack Strong. Richardson never saw Strong coming. It would be his last play of the game.

"All of a sudden, the lights go out," Richardson said. "I didn't even know who hit me until I watched the film."

Richardson, who last played in 2010 with the Jets, thanks his lucky stars he has had no effects. But as he begins his new career on SNY's "Jets Extra Point" and "Jets Game Plan," he wonders whether his luck might run out down the road.

"I'm a spiritual individual, I'm not gonna walk around living in fear," he said. "I'm also gonna be realistic."

Gee helps families who suffered Sandy tragedies

Dillon Gee can only imagine what the grief has been like for the Baumler and Robson families of North Salem, N.Y. On the night Hurricane Sandy hit, a tree fell through the roof of the Baumler house killing 11-year old Jack Baumler, and his neighbor and good friend, 13-year old Michael Robson.

But thanks to a Mets community outreach program — Amazin' Calls — Gee was able to put a smile back on the face of Jack's brother, Will, a 13-year old pitcher. Will, along with 24 family and friends, including the Robson family, had a tour of Citi Field before last Wednesday's game against Philadelphia. And the group got to talk baseball in the bullpen and on the field with Gee.

"I called Will on Monday and invited him out," Gee said. "We didn't talk about what happened. We just talked baseball. He had asked me how I threw certain pitches. It's an incredibly sad story, so I am just glad we were able to make him smile at least for a few hours."

The Mets were made aware of the story when Will's coach Robert Herlihy called the team.

"This is a great program," Gee said. "When I called Will, he just was about to pitch in a tournament that they had set up in his brother's honor. I am just glad to be a part of what happened. It was his first time on a major league field and I am sure it will be something he will remember for a long, long time."

Jersey Hall gets its Diggs in

This fall, four-time USA Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs will be inducted into the prestigious New Jersey Hall of Fame alongside Hall of Famer Bill Parcells in the sports category.

Before her induction, Joetta will be hosting the eighth annual Joetta Clark Diggs Sports Extravaganza sponsored by Johnson & Johnson on Sept.20 in Bridgewater, N.J., with proceeds supporting her non-profit foundation that teaches good health and positive work ethics associated with participation in sports.

Celebrity Olympians expected to attend the event include Bob Beamon, Dwight Phillips, Jearl Miles-Clark, Norman Tate, Edwin Roberts, Candy Young, Hazel Clark and others. For more information about the event, please visit www.joettasportsandbeyond.com.

Free prostate screening at Yankee Stadium

As Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure (www.fans4thecure.org) wraps up its seventh season of prostate cancer awareness dates in more than 160 minor league ballparks from coast-to-coast, the charity will host its third annual free prostate cancer screening Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Before and during the game against the White Sox, the charity will offer free PSA blood tests and digital exams near Main Level Section 220.

On Wednesday, the charity will be responsible for having the George Washington Bridge lit in blue, symbolic of prostate cancer awareness, for the month of September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

"A man is 33 percent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is breast cancer," said Randall, the founder and CEO. "Approximately 240,000 new cases will be diagnosed in this calendar year, enough to fill Yankee Stadium five times.

"We are telling men who are 40 and older that they are loved, wanted, needed and cherished and they have a responsibility to take care of their health."