TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Reaching Out For Help

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOE HENDERSON

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 30, 2009

TAMPA - There are about 1,500 active players in the National Football League.

According to the organization Gridiron Greats, approximately 15 of them responded with money late in the regular season during a fundraising day for retired players battling medical and financial issues. The retirees took their case to the public Thursday at a news conference in the Super Bowl media center.

"It's a problem that shouldn't exist," said Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk, one of the few current players to take an active role in helping the former players.
Gridiron Greats has raised a little more than $1 million through private donations and sponsorships, not including a fundraising dinner Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock hotel. About 100 former players attended.
Retired players complain they don't have a voice with the players' union when collective bargaining agreements with the owners are made. They say they receive mostly lip service from the union they helped build and only token help from owners.

As a result, they say, many former players are suffering from football-related injuries, living in poverty or battling addictions.

"The problem is not going to go away," former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka said. "This is something that doesn't make sense. We were told when we came into this league that we were part of a family. You don't treat family that way."

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT