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Former Players Unite To Help Brethren

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By JOE HENDERSON

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 27, 2009

Updated: 01/27/2009 06:33 pm

TAMPA - There is no bigger sports stage than the Super Bowl, so those in the Gridiron Greats organization figure there is no better platform to highlight the needs of those who it says have been forgotten by the league they helped to build.

Approximately 100 former players and coaches are trying to help. They will participate in a dinner tonight at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel designed to raise money and awareness for players who have profound medical and financial needs. All are donating their time.

"As a player, any time you're asked to contribute resources or time to help out a former player in need, you have to do it," former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson said. "There is a brotherhood out there among us. Whether you played together or not, you have to help guys out.

"To be honest with you, there are a lot of former players caught up in the same economic downturn everybody else is caught up in. There are guys hurting because they had meager possessions and pensions before, but there are other guys now who might have had a good job three or four years ago but have seen that job go away now."
Gridiron Greats is a private group that has gained increasing exposure in recent years by highlighting the plight of needy players. Several were highlighted last year in a series by The Tampa Tribune on retired NFL players who battle addictions to pain medications as a result of their football injuries.

"A lot of people think that once you played professional football, you have it made and you're financially set," Carson said. "That's just not true. You have to make the transition back to everyday life, and a lot of times that's a lonely road that you have to travel by yourself to get back to being a normal person.

"As long as we can raise money to help every player in need, that would be a home run for us this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And maybe after that, the NFL can make some changes so that we don't need the Gridiron Greats."

In addition to the dinner, fans can participate in an online auction that runs through Tuesday. There is also an autograph show Friday from 2-5 p.m. at the Hard Rock.

"I think the first thing we can do is raise awareness," former St. Louis Cardinals guard Conrad Dobler said. "I don't know if people know that the first three picks in the draft last year got more in bonuses than what was paid out in total for pensions.

"We're also trying to bring awareness to the current players. You know, they might not be retired right now but one day they will be. I know for myself, when it comes to benefits I've been turned down more often than the bed sheets at the Marriott. It's kind of like that movie 'Play it Forward.' I may not have any money but I do have time to help."

GRIDIRON GREATS
•Tonight: A dinner at 7 p.m. featuring at least 100 retired NFL coaches and players at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel in Tampa. The public can attend for a $1,000 donation. Tickets are available through gridirongreats.org or by calling 1-800-708-1078. Players and coaches expected to attend include Frank Gifford, Roger Staubach, Jim Kelly, Mercury Morris , Jim Taylor, Harry Carson, Marv Levy, Eric Dickerson, Deacon Jones and Jim McMahon.

•Friday: Autograph show at the Hard Rock from 2-5 p.m. featuring approximately 30 retired players and coaches, including Don Shula, Marv Levy, Thurman Thomas and Vinny Testaverde.

•Online auction: Fans can bid on items donated by retired players through Tuesday by accessing the Web site at gridirongreats.org.

Reporter Joe Henderson can be reached at (813) 259-7861.

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