Gridiron Greats Blog

Bill Maas Brain Damage and NFL Disability

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:33:00 GMT

Fellow NFL Retirees and your loved ones,

How many more?

How many of our NFL brothers are suffering brain damage, without receiving benefits, in order for current owners, unions execs, Groom Law and current players to wallow in unfathomable profits?

Here now is Bill Maas, another lineman with brain damage, another player from the old Astro-Turf era

"The frontal lobe of his brain is damaged. Doctors say it's a direct result of his NFL career and has caused him depression, minor speech problems and extreme loss of short-term memory.

It's one of the conditions that drove him online, buying hydrocodone and other painkillers from pharmacies he knew probably weren't legitimate. He says his drug use began when his broadcasting career went downhill; a source says it was the other way around."

Click here: Former NFL Player, Announcer Bill Maas Says Football Left Him Brain Damaged - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

GRIDIRON GREATS GENERAL BLOG COMMENTS

admin — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:30:00 GMT

To Mr. Willie Wood,

Dear Willie,

I saw your story on television a while back. I wish you the best. I wanted to let you know how much I admired you as one of the Packer greats. As a kid playing sandlot football, we argued who would be you versus Herb Aderley. With our family nickname as "Willy," we always had first dibs being #24. On offense, it was easier either being Taylor, Hourning or Starr while one of my favorites was Elijah Pitts, purely for his name and being a hard-nosed runner.

Although I'm almost 52 years old and have not lived in WI for over 28 years, football idols like you still pull my heart strings. I even like Ditka, Butkus and Fran Tarkington - which took decades to finally soften my stance.

I grew up in Beaver Dam, an hour or so to the west of you and attended UW-Oshkosh back in the 70's. I played high school ball but played linebacker or quarteback so I didn't have the honor to wear #24.

I wish you the best while living in Manitowoc; I'm still a quasi-Packer fan who will always remember you and the glory teams of the 60's.

Take care.

Mike Ditka Gridiron Greats Autograph Show , VIP Party , Golf & Blackjack

admin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:15:00 GMT

Tickets are now on sale for these exciting events which feature over 40 NFL Legedns join Da Coach for an outstanding weekend! Can' make the events? Viist the blog section Aug 23-25 for live blogging from the events with Coach Ditka, NFL Legends and Hall of Famers! Post comments and questions here or call 1-800-708-1078 for details.

Thank you letter from Brent Boyd

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Hi,I just wanted to make note before the day passed..it was exactly one year ago today, June 26, 2007, that we were in hearings in the House Judiciary. I think we were all stunned by their (the NFL and NFLPA) lack of preparation and stumbling around for words on the witness stand. Speaking myself as another witness, I can say it was very encouraging and emboldening to see these high-priced silver tongued professional liars fumbling for words. And, gridiron greats put on an amazing press conference at none other than the National Press Club. This was in your relative infancy as an organization and you pulled off quite a feat, coupled with the fact that you attracted standing room only of the nation's cream of the sports writing crop. You have grown significantly and become more sophisticated as an organization, but I hope you kick back tonight and savor the miracle you pulled off in simpler times; the success those of us involved that day and in subsequent written questions that continue til this day ( I received one just yesterday)....we had no business pulling that off, and because we didn't know that and we all believed in ourselves and our cause, wonderful results are coming out of that day, one year ago today... June 26, 2007 I hope everyone raises a glass in joy tonight, and toast all those who made that day so special. I will be thinking of you guys! My wife Gina, Jen, Karen, Jim, Coach Ditka.... And to Bob Schmidt,not just for his invaluable "coaching" the night before, but mostly for grounding me by taking me to a side room seconds before the hearing began and leading me in private prayer. Thanks for everything, and here is to our future success!!! Brent

KYLE TURLEY BLASTS NFLPA's ROBERT SMITH

admin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:54:00 GMT

Kyle Turley, who created the Gridiron Guardian program benefiting the Gridiron Greats, dropped an "F" bomb on live radio while passionately standing up for the rights of retired players many of whom are in dire need during an interview on Miami radio station 790 The Ticket.

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Gridiron Greats Super Jam Party

admin — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:38:00 GMT

The Gridiron Greats Super Jam Party is about to get underway this evening and it is going to be a great!!

Scheduled to appear are the following: Dave Pear, Jim Marshall, Ty & Koy Detmer, Franco Harris, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Eric Dickerson, Jerry Kramer, and many more.

In addition, the following will be all gathered in one place to hear a once in a lifetime multi genre rock & roll jam including Paul Rodgers (Bad Co & Queen), Pat Travers, Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Johnny Gunn (Eddie Money), Nels Lofgren (E Street Band), Sam Moore, Dell Bruchette (Greg Kihn Band), Tommy Miller (Gregg Allman Band), Steve Salinas (Cold Blood), Donny Baldwin (Jefferson Starship), hosted by CMT’s Cowboy Troy, and a special performance by Kyle Turley ( Kansas City Chiefs).

The evening is sure to be exciting and great fun.

Check back to the blog for more updates from players, celebrities and fans.

UPDATE: 9:15 Mountain Time:

The party is underway and the guest list is impressive. Already seen: Mean Joe Green, Kyle Turley, the Girls of the Tilted Kilt and many, many more... Check back later for image uploads...

Photos:

"Mean" Joe Green with Restaurant Owner

Coach Ditka and Kyle Turley addressing the crowd.

Harvey Magid - Fan

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:26:00 GMT

The Wednesday dinner was spectacular and very enlightening. I was talking to Mel Renfro and he could not believe the progress that was made in one year and also made the comment that even the NFL could not have put on a dinner this good. When you are able to get Bob Costas to handle the presentation it is impressive. I was at a table with Ron "Jaws" Jaworski, Mercury Morris and Jim Kelly and the company was impressive.

The next best event was the press conference. They had 50 players 35 of which were HOF it was surpirsing to get as many reporters that they did as the Giants had a conference going on at the same time. Michael Irvin was sensational, Daryl "Moose" Johnston was great and of course Mike Ditka was fantastic for all of the time and money he has dedicated to this great cause.

Celebrity Poker Event

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:58:00 GMT

The Gridiron Greats Celebrity Poker Event is about to get underway and it is going to be a great afternoon!! Dave Pear, Jim Marshall, Ty & Koy Detmer, and Tyrone Wheatley are just a few in attendance today.

Celebrity Texas Hold'Em, Gridiron Greats style as NFL Legends and fans partake in a fun-filled afternoon of poker to benefit the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

Participants will play at a table with an NFL Legend and could win a brand new Harley Davidson!!!

Jan Stenerud

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:43:00 GMT

We have come a long way in one year. A year ago when we started. It is remarkable. The cause is tremendous. There are so many people out there with disabilities that have gotten crippled from football. The cost of surgeries and stays in the hospital are too much. If there were improved pensions and disability benefits you would need an emergency fund from time to time. You would not have as many people that need help if the pensions were different. Even some type of insurance program will help.

What has happened this weekend is fabulous.

Mike Ditka

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:40:00 GMT

It is incredible in one year what has happened. We have been gaining momentum with this cause.

Everybody has had fun this week, but more importantly, we are spreading the word. People understand the cause and they are sensitive to the cause, this makes a huge difference. It is a just cause, we all know this.

This is somehting that we have taken upon ourselves, because the people who should have not. The Gridiron Greats are providing stuff for men in dire need, and many of these men define the term "dire need."

We are not going to stop putting the pressure on and spreading the word.

Since the Washington event last September, Harry Reed continues going to go to the NFL and force them to come up with some facts. We are continuing to put on the pressure.

Nobody wants to get Congress involved, but we have to. Lets get these men taken care of and if it takes the Senate or Congress to do this, we will do it. We are trying to cut through the red tape which is hard to do with the NFL. They have made it nearly impossible for these men to get the benefits they deserve. The system is broken and needs to be fixed. We are trying to fix it.

We have talked about having about 4 golf tournaments throughout the year strategically positioned throughout the nation. With support from the players, we can get people, more people.

Thanks for all the support from the players, the fans, and the members of the foundation. It is a great cause and everyone has done a wonderful job making this happen.

Jim Marshall

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:30:00 GMT

This has been a very successful event. It was great to see so many guys. Some I had not seen in 15-20 years. This is such a great cause because I have friends that are in nursing homes, friends that have committed suicide, all directly caused because of their participation by the NFL. Organizations like the Gridiron Greats are picking up the slack. It has been a great disapointment that the union has not stepped up. When I started playing football we had no unions. We thought we would create an organizaiton that would benefit players after football. With our union leadership this has not happend. We find it necessary to step in and do what we can do to help support the organizaiton and to support the cause so that our fans can have someone they can fall back on and finish their lives with dignity.

Gridiron Greats Golf Event

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:30:00 GMT

One of the largest groups of NFL Legends ever assembled for the purpose of helping their retired NFL players will be taking to the McCormick Ranch Golf Club for a friendly tournament. The Grand Prize winner of the event will win tickets to Super Bowl XLII. This tournament is in support of the Gridiron Greats foundation and will assist in raising awareness for retired NFL players pension issues.

Gridiron Greats Press Conference

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:22:00 GMT

This morning kicked off with a passionate Gridiron Greats press conference. Sitting on the press panel were some of the key Gridiron Greats including Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers, Daryl Johnston, Kyle Turley, Jerry Kramer, and Michael Irvin all provided insight to the media regarding this worthy cause.

"I have been to several press conferences that were impressive, but this was the single most impressive group I have seen at a press conference to back the Gridiron Greats foundation... I have not seen such passion around a given cause. You can definitely tell that this issue is very close to their hearts." - Chris Rapp

Gale Sayers, Kyle Turley & Daryl "Moose" Johnston discuss the worthy Gridiron Greats cause.

Kyle Turley

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:15:00 GMT

For those who attended the event tonight thank you, what an incredible evening! For those who were unable, please continue your support and spread the word as this train keeps chugging along in search of justice for those in dire need.

Love and respect-

Kyle Turley

Andre Reed

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:57:00 GMT

Here at the Super bowl party for the Gridiron Greats Foundation. With Hall Of Fame Legends Of the Game. This is truly a great cause.