MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Ditka will dissolve his Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund in the wake of a report that the charity had given only a small amount of money to needy former NFL players.
USA Today reported last week that Ditka’s fund had collected $1.3 million since it was formed in 2004, but netted only about $315,000 after expenses and distributed just $57,000 to former players.
Ditka disputed part of the report, saying the trust actually has given away $159,000.
Ditka said Tuesday the fund’s balance of more than $600,000 would be divided equally between Misericordia, a residential facility for developmentally disabled youth, and the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, another fund that helps former professional football players in need.
Ditka appeared in Minneapolis with several former Vikings stars to publicize the Gridiron Greats fund. Ditka, a board member for that charity, said he would focus his future efforts on that fund.
He made a personal donation of $25,000 on Tuesday.
Ditka is among the retired players who have feuded with the NFL Players Association over how disability benefits are distributed to former players.
Jennifer Smith, a spokes-woman for Gridiron Greats, said the infusion from Ditka’s fund would “make a major impact” on her group’s efforts.
Several former Vikings joined Ditka, including Chuck Foreman, Jim Marshall, Ed Marinaro and Paul Krause. Also on hand were current pros Kyle Turley of the Kansas City Chiefs and Vikings center Matt Birk, who hosted the news conference at his downtown restaurant.
Turley has been the most outspoken active player on the issue and has pledged a single-game paycheck of $25,000 to the fund, which Birk matched. Two other Chiefs, Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, Houston’s Ephraim Salaam and the New York Giants’ Kawika Mitchell also plan to donate to the fund, the organizers announced.
“As players today, we definitely stand on the shoulders of those that have come before us,” Birk said. “We’re reaping a lot of the benefits of the price that was paid by those players. We can’t forget that.”
NFL, union announce joint-replacement program.
The NFL and the players union announced a program to pay part or all of the costs for joint-replacement surgery for former players.
The statement said the operations would be done at 14 medical centers across the country. The program includes postsurgery rehabilitation at 280 centers and 85 outpatient therapy clinics.
Brian McCarthy, a league spokesman, said all retired players vested in pro football’s retirement plan would be eligible. He said notices would be sent to those players this week.
The plan was developed by the NFL Alliance, which comprises the league, the players union, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Alumni Association.
The Alliance has received $7 million from the four organizations and $10 million from an NFL assessment of teams in October.
The Alliance hopes for further donations from its members.
