OVERVIEW:
- The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a non-stock, non-profit corporation that has been established to provide financial assistance and coordination of social services to retired players who are in dire need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions. The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, providing hands-on assistance to help retired players deal with hardships they may face after football. The services that the “GGAF” provides to retired players and their families are truly unique.
- The fund’s Board of Directors include: Willie Davis, Mike Ditka, Harry Carson, Gale Sayers, Joe DeLamielleure, Tom Nowatzke and others. Jerry Kramer facilitated the formation of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.
- The Gridiron Greats are a group of retired NFL players getting together to do something to help their fellow players in dire need. The board is supported by many other retired NFL players assisting in their efforts.
- The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund provides financial support and the coordination of medical assistance and social services to retired professional football players and their immediate families who are in need. The Fund is intended to help retired players with ongoing, hands-on services and financial aid for medical costs and basic needs. Retired players may apply for temporary assistance for medical and basic necessities of life; including but not limited to: food, housing, shelter, transportation, clothing, and other basic needs.
- In addition to financial support, the fund also assists with the coordination of other types of assistance that may be available. Gridiron Greats provides a staff member that is dedicated to assisting the players in applying for “GGAF” assistance and other help that may be available through a variety of different agencies and social services. Efforts are also made to secure pro bono medical care, pharmaceuticals, and other needs.
- Each case is considered on an individual basis taking into account a number of factors, such as: income, other current support, source of need, lack of ability to otherwise address the need, and other matters.
THE NEED:
- Many players who helped build the NFL into what it is today ravaged their bodies through years of on-field abuse and are consequently unable to maintain a quality of life and financial security for themselves and their families. Often this is due to severe physical limitations, medical issues, and in some cases, dependency on pain medications used in dealing with football related injuries or other hardships.
- The lack of adequate disability, rehabilitation, health insurance, and retirement programs for some players, many who are older, has resulted in many retired football players finding themselves in dire need. As a result, some of the men who have given so much to the game can’t afford to buy medicine or to cover medical expenses to remedy football related injuries. Some players have even found themselves without a roof over their head. Others live in isolation and loneliness, embarrassed by the condition in which they have found themselves.
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES:
- The mission of the “GGAF” fundraising efforts is to increase awareness and to raise money to be immediately dispersed to retired NFL players in dire need while also funding the “GGAF” programs and services activities. The Gridiron Greats fundraising activities include ongoing corporate and public donation drives, auctions, and other initiatives. A PUBLIC DONATION DRIVE IS UNDERWAY AT gridirongreats.org.
- The public can get involved by making a donation, participating in corporate sponsorship programs, or providing in-kind services. Together the players, corporations, and fans can assist these men in dire need helping them to live out their lives with dignity and lack of suffering. This is a unique approach to dealing with an issue that is currently not being appropriately addressed by the owners, union, or league.
WEB SITE: gridirongreats.org
- Information about the issue, message boards and profiles of some players in need are featured.
THE STATUS OF THE FUND:
- The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a non-profit corporation; copies of the articles of incorporation are available on request. The application of tax exemption under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service has been filed; a copy of that application is available on request. Our tax exempt number from the IRS should be received in the next sixty days. The “GGAF” has begun to disperse funds to retired players who are in dire need and we have implemented our program services activities.
Examples of Players who have received assistance:* Note: “GGAF” remains in regular contact with dire need players to provide ongoing services
- Former San Diego Charger who is homeless, living in his car, and is dealing with many medical and social issues, has received funds and assistance in securing temporary shelter
- Former Buffalo Bill has received funds for medicine, food, and clothing. “GGAF” also placed him in a detoxification program to assist with pain killer addictions and had assisted in securing a pain management physician
- Former Lombardi era Green Bay Packers wife received financial assistance to help temporarily secure her husband’s stay in a nursing home
- Former Chicago Bears wife has received funds to assist with expenses related to her husband’s care for dementia
- Former Lombardi Era Green Bay Packer received financial aid to help with funeral expenses for the sudden death of his wife
- Former Jacksonville Jaguar has received financial aid for food, living expenses, medicine, and health care. “GGAF” also secured a vehicle for his family through a private donor
HOW THE FUND STARTED:
- Jerry Kramer’s Super Bowl I ring, which was stolen 25 years ago, helped start the fund. The idea was developed when Jerry Kramer’s Super Bowl I ring was found on an online auction. The auction company returned the ring. Kramer then asked them to auction off his Super Bowl I replica ring to benefit retired players in need. The endeavor was a success, and raised $22,000, which was then used as the first capital to establish the “GGAF” fund.
CONTACT: JENNIFER SMITH-Executive Director, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
(920) 499-7133 (office) Lombardi22@aol.com
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