Founded by Mike Ditka, The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund's mission is to assist retired NFL players & their families in dire need situations, with medical & financial assistance.

Many NFL players who helped build, shape, and mold the NFL into what it is today, are paying the price physically, mentally, and emotionally from their playing days. In the transition to life after football, many retired players, especially older players from the pre-93 era, find they lack adequate disability, rehab, health insurance and retirement programs to allow for & maintain a quality of life. They find themselves with physical limitations, medical issues and other hardships.

We provide hands-on assistance to help with the hardships they face after football. Services include medical assistance, pro-bono orthopedic surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, food, and other day to day necessities. We are here to help.

Honoring the Legacy of Coach Mike Ditka

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on providing human services. It is based in Park Ridge, IL. It received its nonprofit status in 2007.

The GRIDIRON GREATS ASSISTANCE FUND (GGAF) is a non-stock, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing financial grants and ‘pro bono’ medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need with a minimum of 3 credited seasons. The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, which includes coordination of social services to retired players who are in need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions.

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund’s mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund provides hands on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments, and childcare. Since its creation, GGAF has helped more than 1,000 former NFL players and their families.

For additional information visit: gridirongreats.org

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Inc

Mike was a Pittsburgh Great and “a Fox Hole buddy” to many people. 

The players in the ROFL Fantasy Football League, based in Metuchen, NJ, are honored to donate to the fund.

I developed hydrocephalus from concussions during the 81 Super Bowl season with the 49ers.  Afte 9 emergency VP shunt brain surgeries in 12 years, I developed frontal lobe dementia in 2010 and lost my environmental consulting business in 2011.  With mounting emergency hospital bills for my son, and ZERO NFL benefits, we were on the verge of losing our home (which ultimately happened),.  Gridiron Greats came through and not only paid the hospital bills, they covered two house payments and kept a roof my family's heads.                         
                                                                 I will forever be grateful to GIG and do all I can to help our suffering brothers and families.     

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We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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Honoring the Legacy of Coach Mike Ditka

Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Inc

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Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund Inc