American Man is a documentary filmed and produced by Jon Frankel, Correspondent for HBO Real Sports, that tells the story of local hero Kevin Turner, a football superstar forced to reflect on the price he paid for his glory years. Doctors told him in May 2010 that his once elite body was withering, consumed by ALS, a fatal disease. At about the same time, scientists discovered that the concussions of contact sports were to blame for many traumas of the brain, and likely, his diagnosis of ALS. This powerful and moving story proves that even while facing death, Kevin Turner is fashioning a proud legacy.

All proceeds to benefit The Kevin Turner Foundation and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.  The live auction follows the screening with chances to win a swimming with Ryan Lochte, acting lessons with Denzel Washington, a Lake Tahoe vacation, and a Wine Country Getaway.  The silent auction is sponsored by Antiquities of California.

Want to help at a higher level?  Sponsorships are available from $1000 and up!  We’d like to thank our current sponsors:  Farber & Company Attorneys, Edington Medical Group, Yalumba, Integrated Play After the Draft, and Good News in Oakland.

Purchase General Admission or VIP tickets for American Man.  General Admission tickets consist of general seating behind VIP seats.  VIP tickets include preferred seating on first come first serve basis and Early Admission as well as a VIP reception hosted by Ricky Waters and Rhett Hall inclusive of a meet and greet with Kevin Turner before the event.

About The Kevin Turner Foundation:  Started in November 2010, The Kevin Turner Foundation has been created to bring attention to ALS and the need for a cure; to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain trauma in athletes at every level of competition and its connection to motor neuron diseases like ALS; and to financially support efforts to study, treat, prevent and ultimately cure this disease.

About Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund: The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund’s mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with the hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.

Farber & Company, Trial Lawyers & Business Counselors is an Oakland Based Law Firm specializing in issues for Athletes and Entertainers.  Farber & Company files Pro-Athlete Workers’ Compensation claims on behalf of retired players.
 

This evening will be a celebration of the fabulous careers on the field and the equally outstanding deeds off the field of:

• Dean Look

• Michigan State – All-American
• NY Titans (AFL)
• Chi White Sox (Baseball)
• NFL Official for 29 years – 3 Super Bowls
• Only man ever to play pro football, pro baseball and be an NFL Referee

• Greg Landry

• UMass
• Detroit Lions – 1x All Pro Quarterback
• Baltimore Colts
• Chicago Bears
• 1976 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
• NFL Coach (Bears mostly)

• Grady Alderman

• University of Detroit
• Detroit Lions
• Minnesota Vikings – 5x All Pro
• Chicago Bears coach
• Denver Broncos GM

• Chris Spielman
• Ohio State – 2x All American
• Detroit Lions – 4x All Pro
• Buffalo Bills
• Cleveland Browns
• College Football Hall of Fame

• Roger Zatkoff

• University of Michigan
• Green Bay Packers – 3x All Pro
• World Champion Detroit Lions

• Mean Joe Greene
  • North Texas
  • Pittsburgh Steelers – 10x All Pro
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • College Football Hall of Fame

• Jim Marshall

• Ohio State
• Saskatchewan Rough Rider
• Cleveland Browns
• Minnesota Vikings – 2x All Pro
• Jersey number retired by the Vikings

• Rick Volk

• George Perles
  • Michigan State
  • Pittsburgh Steelers coach
  • MSU Head Coach – 2x Big Ten Champ

• George Reed
  • Washington State
  • Saskatchewan Rough Rider – 10x All Pro
  • CFL Hall of Fame
  • Rated No. 2 on All Time CFL player list

• Hugh Campbell
  • Washington St
  • Saskatchewan Rough Rider 4x All Pro
  • Edmonton Eskimo Head Coach – 5 x CFL Champ
  • Houston Oilers Head Coach
  • Edmonton Eskimo CEO – 4x CFL Champ
  • CFL Hall of Fame

We will be honoring Detroit Lions, Stephen Tulloch, who is the unsung hero of the 2012 Detroit Lions and receiving the Ron Kramer Award.  Stephen played with North Carolina State as a Linebacker, the Tennessee Titans, and the Detroit Lions.

We also will be giving an award in honor of Tim Pendell, retired Director of Community Affairs for the Detroit Lions, to Ken Dallafior and Dan Jaroshewich.  Ken Dallafior played for the University of Minnesota, Detroit Lions, and San Diego Chargers.  Ken won the NFL Ed Block Courage Award.  Dan Jaroshewich is the Director of Sports Events for the Ford Field.  Dan is also the founder of the Detroit Lions Courage House which supports abused children.

Our 2013 Gridiron Greats Man of the Year is Kevin Turner.  Kevin played for Alabama and 8 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.  Kevin has also won the NFL Ed Block Courage Award.  In 2010, Kevin was diagnosed with ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease.  He has been working hard on research that links CTE to ALS and has also agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord when he passes to help further his mission.  The documentary film, “American Man” was produced to describe Kevin’s life, especially his battle with ALS.  Kevin founded The Kevin Turner Foundation to raise awareness of ALS.  He’s a great player, man, friend, father, and husband.  No one is more deserving of this award this year.

Tickets for the dinner cost $125 per person or $1,100 per table of ten. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

Numerous NFL players will be present at the dinner and several players available for an autograph session, which will take place between 8am and 4pm at Suburban Collection Showplace on Saturday, May 18, 2013. DC Sports will be hosting the sports memorabilia and autograph show. Autograph guests will include “Mean” Joe Greene, Chris Spielman, Jim Marshall, Doug English, Rick Volk, Roger Zatkoff, Hugh Campbell, George Reed, Denny McLain, and more to be announced. This show will help the Gridiron Greats raise money to help former players in need.  Please go to www.detroitcitysports.com for players’ times and autograph pricing.

For ticket information you may contact us at mailto:shannonj@gridirongreats.org or call Shannon Jordan at (773) 867-8161.
 
 
 

With everything from turning the heat back on to much needed surgery, Gridiron Greats continues to be the charity that is on the front lines doing the heavy lifting for those retired NFL players who are in dire need as a result of their days with the game they loved.

“We receive 4 to 5 new calls a week. We answer every call, and attempt to meet every need as best we can,” says Gridiron Greats President, Shannon Jordan . “Sometimes we assist them with rent and shelter, sometimes we put food on their table or provide winter coats and other times we help medically for a crippling injury,” added Jordan. “In every case, the story is that these men and their families need help. They are hurting, and by the time they call us they are desperate”.

Every day in the news we hear about men suffering medically, but the stories that aren’t told are the men suffering from financial distress that need help right now. Gridiron Greats provides pro bono medical and dental but the men need assistance with everyday life before they take the gift of helping themselves medically. In most cases Gridiron Greats is their only lifeline.

“I am very proud of what our team has accomplished,” says Chairman Mike Ditka . “This is a very hands-on group with one central focus, to help each and every person that contacts us. We can’t always meet the full need, but we help in every way we can.” added Ditka. “Sometimes players feel like it is 4th and 25, and they are on their own 3-yard line. We are their Hail Mary”.

“We help in many ways, not just with money. Our group makes calls on behalf of these men to arrange services and to plug them into local assistance and support” says Kyle Turley , Board Member, retired NFL player and current touring musician. Turley was the first active player to donate a game check to Gridiron Greats in 2007. Matt Birk , another Gridiron Greats Board Member, and soon to play in his first Super Bowl, added, “I am honored and thankful to help with this cause. The damage goes far beyond the players we help. Their families are greatly affected as well. The ripple effect is enormous.” Birk is not only a Board member but is one of Gridiron Greats largest donors each and every year.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of so many people. The gifts we receive go a long way,” said Jordan. Over the holidays retired NFL players such as Mike Ditka , Ron Mix , Matt Birk , John Elway , Joe Greene , Dave Casper , Gary Fencik , Jim Covert , Conrad Dobler , Stephen Spurrier , Bob Lilly , Paul Flatley , Chuck Mercein made considerable donations to support our cause”.

The group recently benefitted from an event in Florida, which raised approximately $50,000.00, in part due to two Heisman trophy footballs donated by Paul Hornung . In attendance were notables Joe Namath , Mike Ditka , Cris Carter and long time Gridiron Greats supporter Mike Lucci.

“If you are in New Orleans on Friday, I’m looking forward to spending the evening with some of my close NFL friends, sharing stories and meeting the people who come out to support Gridiron Greats and The Kevin Turner Foundation,” says Coach Ditka. “I am honored to co-host this event with Kevin Turner and Kyle Turley . These two charities are doing important work for former NFL players and raising awareness for some of the critical issues facing everyone involved in football at any level. Please join me in supporting these two worthy causes.”

To purchase tickets call Shannon Jordan , Gridiron Greats: (773) 867-8161.

About Gridiron Greats
The GGAF’s mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands-on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, dental assistance, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.

About The Kevin Turner Foundation
The Kevin Turner Foundation has been created to bring attention to ALS and the need for a cure; to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain trauma in athletes at every level of competition and its connection to motor neuron diseases like ALS; and to financially support efforts to study, treat, prevent and ultimately cure this disease.

Want to hang with Coach Ditka, Kyle Turley, Kevin Turner and other NFL Legends for the Super Bowl in New Orleans?  We thought you would!  We’re giving you that very opportunity and are inviting you to our exclusive event, Ditka and Friends – Benefitting the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund and The Kevin Turner Foundation.

Join Mike Ditka, Lawrence Taylor, Dan Reeves, Kyle Turley, Kevin Turner, Merril Hoge, Ron “Jaws” Jaworski, Jack Youngblood, Adam Schefter, Matt Birk, Paul Hornung and many other NFL greats in New Orleans for an exclusive evening featuring an open bar, contemporary cuisine, and live entertainment.  The event will be held on Friday, February 1, 2013 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm at The Foundry, 333 Saint Joseph Street, New Orleans, LA.  Did we mention a special performance by The Kyle Turley Band? That’s right – You’ll hear the awesome musical talents of The Kyle Turley Band echo through the evening during their special performance that is sure to appease your ears.

Only 250 Tickets will Be Sold!  Individual tickets are $500 each.  You can purchase tickets by calling Shannon Jordan at Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund – 773-867-8161 or eMail shannonj@gridirongreats.org.  Other NFL Greats scheduled to appear are Matt Birk, Paul Hornung, Joe DeLamielleure, Lawrence Taylor, and Mike Lucci.  We’re adding NFL legends as we speak!

You can also help support these remarkable charities by purchasing a sponsorship package for your company or brand.  This is your opportunity to have your brand seen in front a large and select audience.  Your brand will be included on all promotional materials promoting this exclusive event.  Diamond Sponsors receive a private meet and greet for 8 people with Coach Ditka, Kyle Turley, and Kevin Turner, plus a photo opportunity!

Here’s the breakdown of the sponsorship packages available:

Diamond Sponsor – $10,000

• Sponsors booth on site (sampling opportunities if applicable)
• Sponsors logo included in promotional materials
• Sponsors logo placed on following websites: Gridiron Greats and The Kevin Turner Foundation with link back to sponsor website
• Private Meet and Greet with Ditka, Turley and Turner for 8 guests with photo opportunity
• 8 tickets inclusive of open bar, contemporary cuisine and entertainment from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Social Media Inclusion on rotation with Gridiron Greats and Kevin Turner Foundation
• Sponsors logo included on step and repeat banner at entrance of event
• Logo inclusion on signage at event

Gold Sponsor – $5,000

• Sponsors booth on site (sampling opportunities if applicable)
• Sponsors logo included in promotional materials
• Sponsors logo placed on following websites: Gridiron Greats and The Kevin Turner
• Foundation with link back to sponsor website
• 4 tickets inclusive of open bar, contemporary cuisine and entertainment from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Social Media Inclusion on rotation with Gridiron Greats and Kevin Turner Foundation
• Logo inclusion on signage at event

Please help sponsor this wonderful event and these two  incredible charities.

Remember, only 250 tickets will be sold to this exclusive event!  Don’t miss this chance to mingle with “Da Coach” and help out two charitable causes.  Be sure to purchase your tickets before they sell out, like hot cakes!

This exclusive event is sponsored by the law firm Robbins, Salomon & Patt, LTD., the Park Tavern, and by the Chicago Sun-Times.  All proceeds from the Chicago Super Bowl event benefit Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

Tickets can be purchased on the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund website.  Tickets for the 2013 Chicago Super Bowl Party include:  buffet, beer, wine, raffle, games, prizes, silent auction, and charity football squares.  Meet, mingle, and watch the Super Bowl with former NFL players Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Keith Van Horne, and other legends.

Don’t miss out on this amazing Chicago Super Bowl Party!  Purchase Your Tickets for the 2013 R|S|P Super Bowl Bash for Charity, before they are gone.

Did you happen to miss our auctions? We heavily promoted on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ pages, so be sure to follow us and check out our social media pages every day for your chance to get in on the action now and in the future. However, there is no need to fret! We still have some amazing NFL football items up for grabs in our eBay Auction Cause online auction.

Here’s a list of the unique NFL football items you can bid to win:

Bid on this Atlanta Falcons NFL football signed by Jerious Norwood #32 in 2010! Comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Falcons. Donated by: Atlanta Falcons.

Bid on this Carolina Panthers NFL football signed by head coach Ron Rivera! Donated by: Carolina Panthers.

Bid on this Green Bay Packers football with transferred signatures from 2011 coaching staff & players! Comes with a letter of donation from the Green Bay Packers. Donated by: Green Bay Packers.

Bid on this Jacksonville Jaguars football signed by Aaron Kampman! Donated by: Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bid on this Jacksonville Jaguars football signed by Blaine Gabbert! Donated by: Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bid on this Kansas City Chiefs 8×10 autographed photo of Jamaal Charles! Donated by: Kansas City Chiefs.

Bid on this New York Jets 2010 team football with transferred signatures! Donated by: New York Jets.

Bid on this San Diego Chargers 50th anniversary football signed by 48 players (fan voted all-time favorite Chargers)! This is number #64 of 98. Comes with a letter of authenticity from the San Diego Chargers. Donated by: San Diego Chargers.

Bid on this Seattle Seahawks NFL football signed by Red Bryant! Donated by: Seattle Seahawks.

Bid on this St. Louis Rams football signed by James Laurinaitis in 2010! Donated by: St. Louis Rams.

Bid on this Washington Redskins jersey signed by Ryan Kerrigan #91! Comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Washington Redskins. Donated by: Washington Redskins.

Auctions end Monday, so don’t waste any time heading over to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund eBay Auction Cause to get your football fan the greatest gift ever!

P.S. We’ll be continuing to add new auctions until Super Bowl, so check back often!

What can you win for your family football fan in the Marv Levy Charity Auction?  Find this awesome list of amazing prizes below:

1.  “4 Items for 4 Downs”: Marv Levy’s Autographed Book, Bills Hat, Bills Football, Bills Yearbook

Marv Levy is the only pro football coach to take his NFL team, the Buffalo Bills, to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. He has penned a novel, “Between the Lies”, that finds an NFL bending the rules, including putting out bounties on opposing players, to get to the Super Bowl game in Indianapolis and win the game. The very integrity of the game comes within a yard of ruin. Levy is enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Canton, OH and is still very active on the talk circuit. At the age of 87, he still jogs 3 miles a day in Chicago!

Bid on 4 Items for 4 Downs Now.

2.  “Ball & A Book”: 2012 Alabama NCAA Championship Football + Marv Levy’s Autographed Book

Celebrate Bama’s 2nd national title in three seasons with a stunning limited edition football, complete with a game-by-game recap of Alabama’s 13-0 season, capped off by a dominating 21-0 over LSU in the title game. This limited edition football also includes a handsome acrylic display case. Only 5,000 footballs were produced in this limited edition collection and they sold out.

Package includes:
- 2012 Alabama NCAA Championship Football with acrylic display case
- Marv Levy’s Autographed “Between The Lies” Book

Bid on 2012 Alabama NCAA Championship Football and Marv Levy’s Autographed Book Now.

3.  Dinner at Harry Caray’s in Chicago with Marv Levy

Harry Caray rocked Chicago as the Cubs famous broadcaster for many years, and his restaurant is one of the “must-see” places in the Windy City. The food is a grand slam too, and you’ll be able to have dinner with Hall of Fame coaching legend Marv Levy, who took his Buffalo Bills football team to four consecutive Super Bowls, a feat that has never been duplicated or even approached. Learn X’s and O’s over dinner from a true legend and gentleman!

Bid on Dinner at Harry Caray’s in Chicago with Marv Levy Now.

4.  “4 Books For Marv’s 4 Super Bowl Appearances”

Did you know Marv Levy is also a poet, that he loves history, has a degree from Coe College in Iowa and did his post-graduate work at Harvard? He may be the most educated NFL head coach in the history of the sport!

Now you can treat yourself and your 3 best friends to Marv’s new novel, “Between the Lies”, and relive the plot lines staged by this Hall of Famer. An excellent holiday gift for any football fan!

Bid on 4 Books for Marv’s 4 Super Bowl Appearances Now.

5.  2011 Oregon NCAA Title Game Football

The Oregon Ducks established themselves as one of the premier college football teams in 2011 and made it to the championship game against Auburn. This limited edition football (2,010) salutes Oregon’s unbeaten regular season (12-0) and Pac-10 championship. Includes an acrylic display case to show off this remarkable piece of sports memorabilia.

Bid on 2011 Oregon NCAA Title Game Football Now.

6.  “Ball & A Book”: 2007 Missouri “Season To Remember Football” + Marv Levy Autographed Book

For any Tigers fan, it was a season that will go down in history, capped off by a 38-7 win in the Cotton Bowl game against Arkansas. This limited edition football (5,000) celebrates a 12-2 campaign, and found the Tigers ranked #1 in the country for one week. You will have bragging rights in your neighborhood with this beauty, which comes with an acrylic display case.

Package includes:
- 2007 Missouri “Season To Remember Football”
- Autographed Marv Levy “Between The Lies” Book

Bid on 2007 Missouri “Season to Remember Football” and Marv Levy’s Autographed Book Now.

7.  2013 NFL Draft Party Arranged By Outbid at Harry Caray’s in Chicago

Ever wonder what kind of dialogue goes on behind-the-scenes on NFL draft day? Well, join former Buffalo Bills head coach, Marv Levy, and later their general manager, to learn some insight as to what happens on Draft Day each April. Levy coached the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls and was considered one of the masterminds in the NFL for years during his long career. Marv will give you a draft day lesson you’ll never forget at one of Chicago’s most famous restaurants named after Cubs broadcasting legend Harry Caray.

Bid on 2013 NFL Draft Party Arranged by Outbid at Harry Caray’s in Chicago Now.

8.  Peyton Manning Tribute Football

This limited edition football (2,500) celebrates the future Hall of Fame career of this outstanding quarterback, and lists some of the impressive stats that he compiled with the Indianapolis Colts. One section of the ball chronicles some of his many career records, while another section of the ball features a colorful photo of #18, who played for the Colts from 1998-2011. Comes with an acrylic display case. This collectible sold out in one week!

Bid on Peyton Manning Tribute Football Now.

9.  “Ball & A Book”: Kansas City Chiefs 50th Anniversary Football

This football celebrates the great franchise history of this team in Kansas City, where Marv Levy once was the head coach.

The football includes the Chiefs Super Bowl IV logo–and only 2,009 were produced. A section of the football chronicles some important dates in franchise history and lists the founding date when the club was known as Dallas Texans of the American Football League.

If you’re into history and follow the Chiefs, this is an item that will bring back many memories and comes with a handsome acrylic display case.

Bid on Kansas City Chiefs 50th Anniversary Football and Marv Levy’s Autographed Book Now.

10.  Marv Levy Autographed Limited Edition Buffalo Bills Football

This is really a special collector’s item, a Limited Edition Buffalo Bills football autographed by Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, who took his Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl for four consecutive seasons. If you are a student of the game and a collector of fine NFL memorabilia, this will be a perfect addition to your collection.

Bid on Marv Levy Autographed Limited Edition Buffalo Bills Football Now.

11.  Autographed Framed Photo of Marv Levy

He walked the sidelines of the NFL from 1969 to 1997 as an assistant coach or head coach, with a stop in Canada to take the Montreal Alouettes to two titles. He was an assistant coach with the Eagles, Rams and Redskins and the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, posting a 143-112 mark in the NFL as a head coach. Marv Levy has led an amazing career in pro football and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH in 2001. While head coach at William & Mary in 1967, Levy’s team stunned heavily favored Navy, a powerhouse at the time, in what football experts say is one of the Top 10 upsets in college football history.

Bid on Autographed Framed Photo of Marv Levy Now.

Don’t let these unique football items pass you by.

What’s in it for you (besides the fun of playing fantasy sports and contributing to GGAF)?  The top players in “Fantasy Cares” will receive totally cool prizes!  An example of what you can win:  autographed merchandise from current/former celebrity athletes, game tickets, and special on-air appearances.  Do you want to play now?  We thought you would!

The first charitable Fantasy Football game will be in Week 11 of the NFL season with the first participating game being Thursday, Nov. 15^th between the Dolphins and Bills.  We are proud to announce that the charitable donations created from participants playing the game for the remainder of the 2012-2013 NFL season will be provided to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

“We are thrilled to be part of the ‘Fantasy Cares’ launch and the chosen charitable beneficiary of this inaugural campaign,” said Shannon Jordan, President of Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.“We are always looking for innovative ways to expand our audience and RotoExperts’ ‘Fantasy Cares’ program brings a unique element of fun that NFL fans across the country can enjoy and feel great about giving back. Combining the popularity of Fantasy Football and giving back to the pioneers of the game is a perfect match.” 

What are you still doing here reading this.   Go get signed up for “Fantasy Cares” right now!
 
 

Rudolph Foods, the world’s largest manufacturers of pork rinds, has announced its Second Annual Pork Rind Appreciation Day campaign. Celebrated on the biggest football day of the year, and on the first Sunday of February, Pork Rind Appreciation Day was cemented as an annual event last year after the pork rind leader secured hundreds of thousands of consumer votes, as well as political designations. Matched each year with charitable support, in this second year, Rudolph Foods will support Gridiron Greats, a nonprofit organization that provides medical and financial assistance to former National Football League (NFL) players in dire need. Now through the big game, $.10 of the purchase of all Rudolph Foods branded products will support the organization’s assistance fund (up to $10,000). The campaign is also matched with several opportunities for consumers to play along for chances to win football parties, pork rinds and other prizes.

As part of the 2nd annual campaign, Rudolph Foods is further encouraging lovers of pork rinds to help make the six month campaign a success by visiting the brands web site at www.RudolphFoods.com/PorkRindDay. There, fans can watch videos from football hall of famers, join in on virtual Twitter chats using #PorkRindDay to discuss former players, submit support to Gridiron Greats, learn about the organization and even enter to win a Big Game party, complete with sandwiches, pork rinds, a new 50” Plasma TV and of course a personalized video from a Gridiron Greats football legend. Most importantly, consumers can support Gridiron Greats by buying pork rinds online.

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund’s mission is to assist retired NFL players in need who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands-on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.

“There are few things more American than pork rinds and The Big Game,” says Mark Singleton, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Rudolph Foods. “As a family-owned company ourselves, Rudolph Foods is proud to lead other football-lovin’ families in the support of Gridiron Greats. These heroes have provided us with decades of memories and entertainment, it’s only right we support them now in their time of need with this football-lovin’ campaign!”

Last year, Rudolph Foods announced their first campaign for Pork Rind Appreciation Day, as a quest to help Rudolph Foods’ consumers celebrate pork rinds as a quirky and nostalgic snack that encourages family togetherness and tradition. Calling upon the public to help to make Pork Rind Appreciation Day a success, consumers were asked to cast their vote, view campaign videos from Rudolph Foods executives and fans, and spread the news about the campaign. Successful in the end, the campaign
generated hundreds of thousands of votes nationwide, and donated $10,000 to the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization, supporting veterans returning home from the war and their families.

Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Welcomes NFL Legend To The Team

Former Chicago Bears and Super Bowl Champion Dennis McKinnon Joins the Fight in Assisting Retired NFL Players in Dire Need

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is honored and privileged to welcome Dennis McKinnon to the Gridiron Greats family. Gridiron Greats is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose purpose is to provide financial aid and medical assistance to former NFL players and their families in dire need. Dennis will assist in corporate fundraising efforts and serve as player liaison to retired NFL players.

GGAF delivers on its commitment to providing retired players with the basic human services they need by offering a broad range of aid including medical, pharmaceutical, housing, food and clothing. To support its programs, the organization relies solely on corporate and private donations generated through sponsorship, special events, sports memorabilia auctions, autograph sessions and public drives.

“We are thrilled to have Dennis join our team. His passion, dedication, drive and charisma that he displayed on the football field are characteristics he continues to portray off the field”, said Shannon Jordan, Gridiron Greats President. “Dennis has worked with some of the largest corporations since life after football and we are excited to work with brands that want to align with our organization and give back to the men who paved the way in making the NFL what it is today.”

“There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about the medical issues many retired players face due to the game and the lack of post career healthcare or affordable insurance,” said Gridiron Greats Chairman Mike Ditka. “This has resulted in many players being forced into dire situations not only medically but financially. There’s been too much talk and not enough action.  Dennis is a great guy and he understands the importance of what we are doing. We’re very honored to have Dennis join the fight in helping these retired players.”

“I’m excited about joining the GGAF team,” said Dennis McKinnon. “Understanding how critical and sad situations are for so many retired players around the country, I’m blessed with an opportunity to make a difference in their lives. I accept the challenges that lay ahead with the same vigor and commitment I had when I played this game.”

Corporations who would like to join our corporate sponsorship program please reach out to GGAF offices at (847) 509-3086 or by visiting www.gridirongreats.org to learn more.

About Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is a non-stock, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing financial grants and ‘pro bono’ medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need. The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, which include coordination of social services to retired players who are in need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions.

The GGAF’s mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands-on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact:          Shannon Jordan, Gridiron Greats

Phone:             (847) 509-3086

Email:              shannonj@gridirongreats.org