AUCTION BLOCK:
PRESERVATION SOCIETY

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"Talk to the 'stache, Senator."

As we try to muddle our way through low-energy preseason football games, many of us are daydreaming about the games that count, or thinking back on championship teams headlined by the sport's Hall of Fame luminaries.

We usually picture those old-school pigskin heroes strutting around with Super Bowl rings blazing, but it's football's dirty little secret that those kinds of happy endings are no guarantee, particularly for older-generation players. Many non-superstars spend their remaining years on the edge of insolvency, battling crippling injuries and unable to work as a result. From there, the bills pile up.

All-pro cornerback Lester Hayes pawned his SB XVIII ring for $800 in 1999 to pay for emergency dental surgery. He was unable to buy it back before the ring showed up on the internet, eventually selling for $18,200. That kind of cheddar could buy a man a whole new grill.

Now, legendary player and coach Mike Ditka has put his own fame to good use, partnering with other big names like Gale Sayers, Paul Hornung and Harry Carson on the board of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. The non-profit raises money and organizes medical and social support networks for tough guys who may be too proud to ask for help.

Packer great Jerry Kramer started the GGAF with funds he raised by auctioning off his own memorabilia from Super Bowl I, and that ethos has pervaded the organization's efforts ever since. Past auctions have featured personal items donated by Brett Favre and other contemporary stars. Former Kansas City Chief Kyle Turley donated a full game check to the fund in 2007, and challenged his peers to do likewise.

Since then, the Fund has ramped up the awareness effort, even opening up a Facebook page. A football-specific networking site is also in the works, which will allow fans to mingle online with their retired heroes. Fund director Jennifer Smith says the best is yet to come, starting with a massive fundraising extravaganza set to kick off in Chicago on August 23rd and running through the weekend. High rollers can bid to play golf or blackjack with the likes of Michael Irvin, Deacon Jones and Merlin Olson, just a few of the 40 Hall of Famers scheduled to attend. The online auction is currently taking high-dollar bids on a private dinner with Ditka. A list of premium items from the likes of Howie Long and Archie Manning will be added to the bill as the start date grows nearer.

Check out the current list of items up for bid. Sure, the best way to get hold of a championship keepsake is to earn it on the field. But, since most of us can't do that, paying up to help those who did isn't a bad substitute.

Other Championship gear at auction:

1987 Showtime Lakers Basketball: Signed by Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Rambis, and the rest of the team.

1961 Celtics Dynasty Ball: Breathtaking to think of the hands that touched this ball. Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn, and Bob Cousy highlight this one.

2003 Outback Bowl Ring: Remember when the Florida Gators were Champions? Of the Outback Bowl? Us either. Apparently Offensive Tackle Bobby Williams wasn't too impressed, either, because he's selling his bling.

1976 Yankees AL Championship bat: Limited edition black Louisville Slugger. Names and signatures from Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson, and Billy Martin are etched on the barrel. Per the seller, these were only made available to Yanks team officials and players.

Danny Manning signed ball: The big man won an NCAA championship as a player in 1988, then came back 20 years later to win one as an assistant coach at his alma mater.

Celebrity Golf Flag: Not much championship value to this one, but you can't go wrong with this mish-mash of pro-am signatures. Everyone from Emmitt Smith to Kevin Nealon to Dan Quayle signed this sucker.

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