Nonprofit group hopes to raise $500,000 from Super Bowl events

Updated: January 9, 2008, 7:57 PM ET

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Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund plans to host events to aid needy, retired National Football League players at next month's Super Bowl and auction off chances to safari and dine with football legends.

The nonprofit group launched by former Green Bay Packers star Jerry Kramer hopes to raise $500,000 through the efforts and raise awareness about the former players it serves, said Jennifer Smith, executive director of the fund, which is based in Green Bay.

More than 70 NFL legends are expected to participate in at least one of the events to be held during Super Bowl Week in Phoenix from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2. Among the NFL greats scheduled to attend to help less fortunate former players are former Bears coach Mike Ditka, former Dolphins coach Don Shula, former Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, ex-Packers running back Paul Hornung, ex-Lions running back Barry Sanders and former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

The group is also bringing out some retirees it helps, she said.

"They're all really coming together to help raise money to help their own," Smith said.

The group hopes the events and online auction raise at least $500,000, which would double what the Gridiron Greats raised in its first year last year.

Events include a dinner, party, golf and poker tournaments. For a minimum $6,000 donation, four people can play golf with an NFL great. A "Texas Hold Em" poker tournament has a $1,000 buy-in, which includes being seated with an NFL legend. The top prize: a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

An online auction that ends on Super Bowl Sunday allows fans to bid on taking an African safari trip with Hall of Fame players, have dinner with Ditka in Chicago, and buy memorabilia signed by players. A sneak peek at items will go up next week on their Web site, with bidding to start the week of Jan. 21.

Starting Friday, fans can buy tickets to a dinner during Super Bowl Week that will feature Ditka and dozens of other players. Tickets cost either $250 or $500 and some include the chance to sit with an NFL legend.

Miller Brewing Co. is helping run the online auctions and will donate a portion of sales of Miller Lite bottles and cases in Arizona from Jan. 1 to Feb. 3, spokesman Julian Green said. He said Miller also is hosting a monthlong fundraising campaign for the group that's expected to raise $100,000.

At a news conference to announce the weeklong effort in Phoenix on Tuesday, Smith accepted a $100,000 donation from George Duerr, owner of Ashley Manor Event Services, a Phoenix-based company helping run the group's events

In its first full year as a nonprofit last year, the group raised more than $400,000, Smith said. Checks are still coming in from current players who decided to donate portions of their pay from games on Dec. 23. Smith said she got a check for $50,000 this week.

The fund offers retired players services and aid for medical costs and basic needs, like housing, and often pays service providers like doctors or pharmacies directly, Smith said. Kramer, the Packers star right guard four under coach Vince Lombardi, started the group to supplement pension and disability benefits for other former players.

Last year the group spent more than $200,000 to help about 40 players, Smith said. It has another 60 players in its system who could be helped depending on need.