NFL Players Donating Parts Of This Sundays Game Checks To Aid Retired NFL Players in Crisis

Minnesota Vikings Center Matt Birk Leads This Weekends Gridiron Guardian Holiday Humanitarian Initiative

 

Minneapolis MN, (December 21, 2008) -- This Sunday, December 21st, has been designated by Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings and a group of other active NFL players as "Gridiron Guardian Sunday". Players throughout the NFL will be donating a part of their game checks from Sundays games to provide assistance to retired NFL players in crisis. Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings is leading this grass roots humanitarian effort as a way for active NFL players to help their brothers in need and address the catastrophic conditions experienced by many former players.

Birk is also encouraging football fans around the country to join the players in this Sunday’s initiative by making a donation at www.gridirongreats.org or by calling 1-800-708-1078. Fans who donate at various levels between now and the end of the regular season will receive a special thank you give when they donate

Matt Birk kicked off the Gridiron Guardian project by committing to donate $50,000 on Gridiron Guardian Sunday. Last week he sent a letter and an overview highlighting some of the former players who are in crisis to every active player in the NFL. Both can be read at www.gridirongreats.org

Birk has asked current NFL players to make a donation large or small and donate a portion of their game checks either from this weekend’s games or the remaining games of the 2009 regular season. The donations will be used to provide financial aid, medical and social services to retired NFL players in dire need. Players can elect to keep their donations and participation confidential or release their names publicly. Active NFL players can continue to sign up and make donations through the end of the season.

A large number of players around the league have signed up to participate including: , Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen, Gus Frerotte, Jim Kliensasser, Ben Leber, Chad Greenway, Ryan Longwell, John Sullivan. Many other players around the league have signed up to participate and chose to remain confidential. The Minnesota Vikings coaching staff will be donating a portion of the fine money they have collected. 

"The response by the active NFL players has been phenomenal. Many have decided to stand with me and donate a portion of their December 21 checks for retired players in need," said Birk. "The size of the donation or naming the individuals who are participating is not what is important. The fact that so many guys are stepping up to help those who came before us and that players in crisis will get some relief as a result of this initiative is what is important. We will extend the donation drive among active player through the reminder of the year and I hope that even more players will make a donation in the coming weeks".

"I want to express our gratitude to Matt Birk and all of the others who are participating," said Mike Ditka, board member of the Gridiron Greats. "The response from the active players to ‘Gridiron Guardian Sunday’ has been amazing. While it is absolutely not the responsibility or obligation of active players to do this, it means the world to the retired players. A lot of guys who need a lot of help will get it thanks to many of today’s players and we are grateful to them for their assistance."

Funds donated will go directly to player assistance and medical programs through the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. None of the funds from this initiative will be used for overhead. . The fact that there is a group of players out there reaching out during this holiday season to help their brothers in need is incredibly meaningful," said Jennifer Smith, Executive Director, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. "These funds will go a long way in helping former players and their families."

The lack of adequate disability, rehabilitation, health insurance, and retirement programs for some retired NFL players 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. Many players who helped build the NFL, 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. The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund was created to provide help for players who feel they’ve been forgotten and abandoned.

About Gridiron Greats

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is an IRS §501(c)(3), charitable and humanitarian organization that provides financial aid and social and medical services to retired NFL players who are in dire need. The organization is overseen by Mike Ditka and a Board of Directors that includes: Gale Sayers, Kyle Turley, several professionals, and an advisory committee including Harry Carson, Michael Irvin, Daryl Johnston, Matt Birk and others. There are over 150 retired players and coaches who support GGAF efforts through various initiatives. Also, a multi-million dollar pro bono medical services program was recently implemented. Most of the needs of the players are created by an inadequate disability and medical system and/or player’s pension program, as well as a lack of attention paid to the issues retired players face post-career and their needs. For more information on the Gridiron Greats, please visit www.gridirongreats.org.

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