Mike Ditka will dissolve his Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund in the wake of a report the charity gave only a small amount of money to needy ex-NFL players.
USA Today reported 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 yesterday the fund's balance of more than $600,000 would be divided between Misericordia, a residential facility for developmentally disabled youth, and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, another fund that helps ex-pro football players in need.
Ditka was in Minneapolis with several ex-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 donation of $25,000.
Ditka is among the retired players who have feuded with the NFL Players Association over how disability benefits are distributed.
Several former Vikings joined Ditka, and also on hand were current pros Kyle Turley of the Kansas City Chiefs and Vikings center Matt Birk.
Turley has been outspoken on the issue and has pledged a game check of $25,000 to the fund, which Birk matched.
Also, the NFL and the Players Association have updated the disability plan for retired players in hopes of making it more efficient.
League gives grant
The NFL has awarded a $113,000 grant to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which played a role in Bills tight end Kevin Everett's recovery from a serious spinal cord injury.The Miami Project, the world's largest spinal cord injury research center, will use the grant money to further its cutting-edge research into hypothermic therapy, Project spokesman Scott Roy said.
The NFL had steadily funded the University of Miami-based center from 1986 to 2003 before cutting off funding altogether about two years ago.
Miami Project co-founder Dr. Barth Green was consulted by Bills doctors shortly after Everett was hurt while making a tackle in Buffalo's opener against Denver Sept. 9. Everett was paralyzed from the neck down, and doctors feared he'd never walk again.
Everett is now walking on his own while attending a Houston rehabilitation center.
The Miami Project was credited for helping in Everett's recovery when Bills doctor Andrew Cappuccino immediately placed the player into moderate hypothermia as he was carted into an ambulance. Cappuccino learned of the experimental method to limit swelling and inflammation at a Miami Project seminar.
Smith out for season
Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith is out for the rest of the season after he tore a biceps during the 34-13 loss to the Patriots Sunday . . . Tampa Bay reserve tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for one game for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy . . . Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly was placed on injured reserve with an ailing shoulder. Jolly was hurt in the Packers' victory over Carolina Nov. 18 . . . Packers linebacker Nick Barnett pleaded not guilty to two charges of disorderly conduct stemming from a confrontation outside a nightclub June 17 in Appleton, Wis.Grossman in limbo
Quarterback Rex Grossman said there's no structural damage to his knee, which he sprained Thursday vs. the Redskins, but with his contract expiring he knows his future with the Bears is still uncertain. "I'd like to be back here if I'm wanted back here," said Grossman, who endured criticism last season despite helping the Bears make the Super Bowl . . . Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Bryant has resolved issues raised in his lawsuit against the league over drug testing, according to documents filed yesterday asking that the complaint be dismissed . . . St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, 80, has been hospitalized in Los Angeles with an undisclosed illness, a family spokesman said.
