MCENROE, BARKLEY, COSTAS
DONATE $75,000 DURING HBO SHOW
TO GRIRION GREATS
"Kyle Turley donated an entire week's pay and I want to be one to help. I have been lucky in my sport and have had no surgeries. Maybe we can embarrass them. Gene Upshaw should have been fired years ago as far as I am concerned."
---John McEnroe, on Costas Now
Chicago, IL— Tennis legend John McEnroe followed the lead of Kansas City Chief Kyle Turley and donated $25k to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund during this weeks broadcast of “Costas Now” on HBO. The money will be distributed through the Gridiron Greats “GGAF” to provide financial aid and social services to retired NFL football players in dire need.
In a spontaneous moment during the broadcast, John McEnroe graciously said he wanted to make a donation to the Gridiron Greats -- then asked Charles Barkley and Bob Costas to do the same. Both readily agreed. The “Costas Now” episode will be replayed on HBO several times, and a complete re-broadcast schedule can be found at HBO.com
McEnroe, who is a big football fan, was made aware of the issue when he met Gridiron Greats Founder Jerry Kramer last year during a fundraising event at his art gallery in New York City. The two got into a discussion about the condition and the dire situations that many retired NFL players face due to a dysfunctional disability and benefits system. McEnroe seemed outraged by the situation and expressed a great deal of compassion for the retired players.Last year, for the “GGAF” on line auction, McEnroe donated a tennis experience which raised $12,000.
During the segment with Costas and Barkley on “Costas Now”, McEnroe reflected on his conversation with Jerry Kramer about the Gridiron Greats and then said;
“Kyle Turley donated an entire weeks pay and I want to be one to help. I have been lucky in my sport and have had no surgeries. Maybe we can embarrass them. Gene Upshaw should have been fired years ago as far as I am concerned.”
Charles Barkley then jumped in at McEnroe’s suggestion and said he would also donate $25k. “I just gave away a whole Black Jack Hand,” Barkley said.
Bob Costas pointed out that HBO has done extensive reporting on the battle between retired players and the National Football League Players Association and then also agreed to join McEnroe and Barkley. “We have $75K right here,” said Costas.
“On behalf of the Gridiron Greats Organization I want to thank John, Bob, and Charles,” said Mike Ditka, Board member of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. “While this is certainly in no way their responsibility, we are so thankful for their donations. This is going to allow the Gridiron Greats to help a lot more guys who are in really dire situations -- many which are due to a horrific disability system. It’s wonderful what can be accomplished when people who truly care come together to help.”
“The Gridiron Greats Organization is incredibly grateful to John for not only making the donation and encouraging Costas and Barkley to do the same, but also for bringing awareness to the issue and acknowledging what Kyle Turley is doing with the active players,” said Jennifer Smith Executive Director Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.
Kyle Turley has donated an entire game check to help retired players and has launched a grass roots humanitarian effort among active NFL players. Turley and a group of active NFL players have designated December 23, 2007 as “Gridiron Guardian Sunday.” On that day active NFL players will be donating a portion of the game checks to the Gridiron Greats Assistance fund to help provide financial aid and social services to retired players in dire need. This initiative marks the first time an organized group of active NFL players will stand alongside retired players and take action with regard to the catastrophic conditions facing many retired NFL players due to the inadequate disability and benefits program provided by the NFLPA.
An announcement regarding the NFL active players “Gridiron Guardian Sunday” initiative will be made on Tuesday December 11th at a press conference. Details regarding the press are to be released shortly. Information can be found at gridirongreats.org.
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund provides financial support and hands-on social services to retired professional football players and their immediate families who are in need. The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is overseen by a very active Board of Directors which includes: Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers, Willie Davis, Harry Carson and others. The organization was founded by Jerry Kramer.
All media requests should be directed to the Gridiron Greats office call (920) 499-7133, or email gridiongreats24@aol.com. Additional information is also available at www.gridirongreats.org.
