Current NFL Players Announce Gridiron Guardian Holiday Initiative to Raise Money for Retired Players in Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Dec 09 (MARKET WIRE) --
Minnesota Vikings Center Matt Birk today announced that he has launched
an initiative among active NFL players that will raise money and provide
support to retired NFL players in crisis and address the catastrophic
conditions experienced by many of these individuals.

Birk, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and Harvard University graduate, will
spearhead the second annual Gridiron Guardian Sunday program and has
selected Mike Ditka's Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund to distribute the
funds through the organization's player assistance program.

Surrounded by some of his teammates, in addition to Mike Ditka and former
NFL greats Bill Brown, Rich Gannon, Carl Eller, Chuck Foreman, Rick Graf
and Jim Marshall during a press event to unveil the player assistance
program, Birk announced that he has personally committed $50,000 to the
cause. He is asking current NFL players to donate a portion of their game
checks to the Gridiron Guardians initiative for all games taking place
December 18-22. The donations will help provide financial aid and medical
and social services to retired NFL players in dire need. Players can elect
to keep their donations and participation confidential or release their
names publicly.

"Today I am asking NFL players to stand with me and donate a portion of
their December 21 checks for retired players in need," said Birk. "We have
benefitted from the sacrifices made by the players of yesterday. Sadly,
the price paid by some of those who came before us has been costly. They
live in excruciating physical pain and severe mental anguish as a direct
result of their playing days. In too many instances, these men have had
to deplete their financial resources in an attempt to achieve a quality
of life that is bearable, and many have no health insurance or access to
medical care. We need your support to help those who came before us.
Without it, many of these former players will continue to live in despair
and pain."

Birk has provided every active NFL player in the league with a donation
card and a packet of information including overviews of many retired
players in crisis that were helped by funds raised by active players last
season. Fans can visit www.gridirongreats.org to read a copy of Birk's
letter, and players can visit the same site to find a copy of the
sign-up/donation sheet and learn more about the initiative.

In 2007, Kyle Turley worked with the Gridiron Greats to create the
Gridiron Guardian Sunday program, raising hundreds of thousands of
dollars from active players for needs such as food, shelter, medicine,
medical services, child care and transportation. To date, the Gridiron
Greats Assistance Fund has provided more than $800,000 in direct and
indirect aid to retired players.

"Many of the current players of today's game are great humanitarians, and
it is amazing that they have reached out to help many of the players who
came before them who are now suffering. This is not their responsibility,
and the fact that they care and are helping these guys is incredible,"
said Mike Ditka, board member of the Gridiron Greats. "The Gridiron Greats
organization is so grateful to Matt Birk for not only the significant
financial contribution he has made, but for continuing what Kyle Turley
started last season. We are thankful to all active players who have made
this initiative so successful, and we hope to have their continued
support."

Three former NFL players who are in crisis joined Birk and Ditka to
discuss their situations and how funds from the Gridiron Guardian program
were necessary for them to be able to live a semi-normal life. Dwight
Harrison, Robert Brown and Cleveland Crosby all spoke about the impact of
the support from current NFL players.

"I am an 11-year NFL veteran who has gone days without eating while living
in a trailer that has no running water," said former Buffalo Bill Dwight
Harrison. "I suffer from debilitating post-concussion issues and other
medical conditions. The NFLPA took my disability and pension from me. The
only funds I have received are from the Gridiron Greats through the
Gridiron Guardian Sunday program. If not for the kindness of today's
players and the Gridiron Greats, I don't know what would have happened to
me. All I can say is thank you to the men who play this great game today."

One hundred percent of all the funds donated will go directly to player
assistance and medical programs through the Gridiron Greats Assistance
Fund. None of the funds from this initiative will be used for overhead.
"It is externally player-to-player," said Jennifer Smith, executive
director of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. "In the coming weeks, we
will work very closely with Matt and his colleagues to coordinate this
massive fundraising effort. We are grateful to Matt and all the players
participating in the program."

About Gridiron Greats

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is an IRS Section 501(c)(3),
charitable and humanitarian organization that provides financial aid and
social and medical services to retired NFL players who are in dire need.
The organization is overseen by Mike Ditka and a Board of Directors that
includes: Gale Sayers, Kyle Turley, several professionals, and an advisory
committee including Harry Carson, Michael Irvin, Daryl Johnston, Matt Birk
and others. There are over 150 retired players and coaches who support
GGAF efforts through various initiatives. Also, a multi-million dollar pro
bono medical services program was recently implemented. Most of the needs
of the players are created by an inadequate disability and medical system
and/or player's pension program, as well as a lack of attention paid to
the issues retired players face post-career and their needs. For more
information on the Gridiron Greats, please visit www.gridirongreats.org.

Contact:
Jennifer Smith
Gridiron Greats
Phone: 920-819-1560 (c)
920-499-7133 (o)
Email: gridirongreats24@aol.com
www.gridirongreats.org

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