WILLIE WOOD

Green Bay Packers

           Pro Football Hall Of Fame Member Willie Wood terrified opponents with his dazzling and very physical play between the lines on the gridiron.  Whether he was returning punts for touchdowns or making interceptions for the legendary Green Bay Packer teams of the 1960’s as the starting Free Safety, Willie Wood dominated both sides of the football.  His immense knowledge on the field followed him through the game and into retirement.  Willie Wood became the first African-American professional football head coach with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League in 1973, just two years after his retirement.  Willie Wood was also the first African-American head coach of the Canadian Football League when he was hired by the Toronto Argonauts in the 1981 season.  His incredible play on the field, and talented leadership on the sideline, stamped his ticket into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

              Today, the free running Willie Wood suffers from a laundry list of disabilities, many which are a direct result of his years as a gridiron great. He has had replacement surgeries on both of his knees and his right hip and is now confined to a wheel chair and can not walk, he is in need of 24 hour care. Currently he resides in an assisted living facility and is recovering from another knew surgery. Mr. Wood also suffers from the beginnings of dementia that causes him to have short-term memory loss.  Wood’s medical costs are estimated at $100,000 per year, which is enough to deplete anyone’s savings. He currently is not receiving disability support from the NFL or the NFLPA.  His physical condition has affected his quality of life and also his financial well being, he is unable to work and in need of both financial and moral support.

              The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a nonprofit corporation that has been established to provide financial assistance and support services to those retired players like Willie who are in dire need due to the inadequate support provided to NFL retired players.  The GGAF, established by Willie’s former teammate Jerry Kramer, distributes money directly to those players, and families, in need.  Willie Woods’s situation is just one example of why there is a need for such a fund. Please support our efforts by making a donation. (Donations to the GGAF can be earmarked for Willie Wood) Make A Donation

               In addition to helping through donations, Mr. Wood’s football family has come together to help with his situation. A fundraiser for him was recently held and attended by former teammates such as Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Willie Davis and other legends such as Jim Brown, Sam Huff, Calvin Hill and many others.

Make a donation to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund

** Donations can be earmarked for Willie Wood or specific players who qualify to receive support from the GGAF