USA TODAY STORY
COMMENTS AND RESPONSE:
"I am honored to stand beside these compassionate and courageous young men who have put their own NFL careers at risk to speak out against the injustices endured by the men who built the game. Kyle and Matt, along with their teammates and the other active players participating in Gridiron Guardian Sunday have shown me that there is still integrity in the locker room.
We have an untold number of former players whose pride has prevented them from coming forward for fear that the Union they created would reject their needs. I was one of the men they rejected. I was hospitalized off and on for over two years after a catastrophic accident and my applications for assistance were repeatedly denied. We never expected that the Union we started would eventually turn its back on us. We all had such confidence with Gene at the helm, that our rights would be protected and that our needs would be met. We never expected that a man who fought our battles with us on the field would turn out to be so self-serving, so manipulative, and so callous that he would abandon us without leaving our dignity intact.
Mike Ditka has always been a stand-up guy and it is shameful that he should have to suffer the criticism and endure the abuse of the league and the Union while they scramble to give the illusion that they are doing the right thing. They are not doing the right thing and the retired player community is grateful that Mike has the courage and tenacity to bring the issue to light."
-Jim Marshall former Minnesota Viking
“I applaud and appreciate all that Coach has done I can't say enough about how grateful my family is to Coach Ditka for his immediate response when we called the Gridiron Greats for assistance in a time of extreme need. Not only did he respond with financial assistance, but his Gridiron Greats staff coached us through our difficulties every step of the way. Coach Ditka has set up a great support system for retired players who have nowhere to turn for immediate help.”
–Henry Ford former Houston Oiler/New Orleans Saint
“Mike Ditka came to my rescue at a critical point in my life by providing me with financial assistance and support. Without his help I would not have had the means to pay my medical bills and I would have lost my home. The timing of Coach Ditka’s support was absolutely critical and I cannot say enough in appreciation for what he did to assist me at such a crucial time in my life.”
-Willie Wood former Green Bay Packer and Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1989
"I have been associated with the Gridiron Greats nearly since it's inception and find them to do extremely good work which the national media, including the USA Today, has covered. It's sad this yellow journalism has caused confusion with the fans, and current players, who would like to help the retired dire need players. The GGAF staff has traveled extensively to the homes of these dire need players to assist them. I have nothing but good things to say about the Gridiron Greats. I urge both writers and their audience to both report and read with caution.”
-Conrad Dobler former St. Louis Cardinal, New Orleans Saint, Buffalo Bill
Mike Ditka is a dominant personality and we need a man like him to lead us through our struggle. It takes a strong personality and a man that is financially and emotionally stable to bring credibility to this issue.
-Chuck Foreman former Minnesota Viking
'The retired players are NOT asking for charity'! ' We are asking the NFL and the NFLPA to pay their valid medical claims'. Which they DON'T! Instead they make a charitable donation to a worthy cause to take the spot light off who they really are. This in NFL white wash. They hide behind their lawyers to cerate a ruse and ask the public to pay their bills. Shame on you! This is GREED. As commissioner Goodell has voiced loud and clear; 'I will rely on the facts'. As the facts continue to stream in, especially in Washington DC, it will be a VERY sobering day for the public as they get to know the REAL NFL. The NFL continues to live in shameless luxury at the expense of their former disabled players. However, the funds are already set aside. They are walking on slippery ground and continue painting themselves into a corner.
-Dave Pear former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Oakland Raider
“It is so disheartening to see Mike Ditka’s character assassinated in light of the tireless way he has fought to protect and support the retired players, with absolutely no thought of personal gain. Mike has allowed himself to become ‘the face of the cause’ because the men who built this game needed someone to draw attention to the issue, someone to stand up for their rights and shout “Do the right thing!” to those that run the 7.2 billion dollar empire known as the NFL.”
-Gale Sayers former Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1977
"I have had countless surgeries because of my football injuries and I have been denied NFL disability benefits over and over. I am a perfect example of this Disability Board's mantra of 'delay and deny.' As a disabled and unemployable single father of two young boys, I thank God that Mike Ditka and his organizations were there to provide immediate assistance when I needed it most."
-Tim Harris former Green Bay Packer, San Francisco 49er, Philadelphia Eagle
