COLUMBIA, S.C.—Michael Dean Perry knows the day is coming when his good-natured, gap-toothed older brother nicknamed “The Fridge” will be back to his old, affable self.

But that will take some time and William Perry understands that, Michael Dean said. William, the former NFL defensive lineman famous for his smile and 360-pound size, spent more than a month at Aiken Regional Medical Center this spring, suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease where the body’s immune system attacks its peripheral nerves.

Now each day Michael Dean visits William at the North Caro...

Log-In to view full story or view our Registration Guide.