Ditka regrets not challenging Obama

[careless hal]

I met Mike several years ago when out with my wife on our anniversary.  We stopped at his restaurant for drinks after dinner.  He came in and was having dinner with family/ friends.  We were talking with the bartender and he asked us if we would like to meet Mike.  He took us over and introduced us.  Mike posed for pictures with us, gave me a cigar and bought us a drink.  He announced that it was our anniversary .  There were scouts from the Yankees there and they bought the rest of our drinks. 


Ditka regrets not challenging Obama


 

6:48 am, October 11, 2013
President Mike Ditka? That would be an interesting alternate timeline to visit.

Ditka, the former Chicago Bears coach, was speaking at an oil company event last week in Watford City, N.D., when he recalled his decision not to run against Barack Obama in the 2004 Illinois Senate race.

"Biggest mistake I've ever made," Ditka said, according to the Dickinson Press newspaper. "Not that I would have won, but I probably would have and he wouldn't be in the White House."

Ditka's name came up in 2004 as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate after the Republican nominee, Jack Ryan, stepped down amid allegations by his ex-wife involving sex clubs.

Various Republican politicians as well as Ditka were offered the unappealing opportunity to run against the popular Obama. Ditka and the others said no, and the nod went to a candidate who wasn't even from Illinois — Maryland political activist Alan Keyes, who lost to Obama with only 27 percent of the vote.

Four years later, Ditka backed Republican John McCain for president against Obama.

When Obama won and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on charges of trying to sell Obama's Senate seat, Ditka was again urged to seek major office. A Burr Ridge man started a website calling for Blagojevich to be impeached and replaced with Da Coach. Blagojevich was indeed bounced, but second-stringer Pat Quinn got the governor's job, not Ditka.

-- Tribune Newspapers

[3 wide and wingin]

[pezz97]

One of the Biggest Blowhard's Alive. he is just like the 72 dolphins. Everytime I see any of them, I want to punch them right in the face. Same with him

[NIATROSS]

One of the Biggest Blowhard's Alive

AGREED !   

ditka was one of the best tight ends who played in the early days
i cannot speak of him as an asst head coach but being with tom landry did not hurt.
my beef is with the adualation heaped upon him as bears head coach.that was a hell of a team and the people who helped build it do not get enuff credit imo.
that team should have at least gone to another super bowl.i think was coaching part of the blame.he turned his back on his players when they went on strike.
great coaches do not make as big a mess as he did in new orleans.
ditka does a great job of selling himself no matter the cost.
he ranted about his super bowl team making too many commercials.he probably made more of them then the rest of the team combined.
he also started a charity that was to benefit the old time football players in need.when it was discoverd that less then 90% of the monies were distributed after a few yrs he closed it and gave it all to misercordia and screwed the payers again

[careless hal]

Well, I only met him once, but he certaibly came across as a down to earth nice guy. Often the public personna and the way a person in the public eye is in real life is not the same.   I know LVGD has told me of some real A holes who played at his table who have a very positive public image.   I wouldn't advise punching him.  I know when I shook hands with him, my hand disappeared .  They must be 2/.1/2 times the size of mine.

[Danville]

Well, I only met him once, but he certaibly came across as a down to earth nice guy. Often the public personna and the way a person in the public eye is in real life is not the same.   I know LVGD has told me of some real A holes who played at his table who have a very positive public image.   I wouldn't advise punching him.  I know when I shook hands with him, my hand disappeared .  They must be 2/.1/2 times the size of mine.

Met the man twice. The first time he was a nobody tight end at the U. of Pittsburgh. I told him then I was from La Grange, IL outside of Chicago and he remarked that he would love to play for Halas. Met him again in '90 at his place in Chicago and congratulated him on his success in the league, with the '85 Bears, and with his restaurant. He looked at me with that squint of his and asked "didn't I meet you in Pittsburgh a few years ago?" Many a laugh over that one.
To our Pecker fans on this forum. Mike may be alot of things, mostly fabrications in your own minds, but he has never sunk to the depths of Forrest Gregg and his attempt to injure McMahon with his goon lineman.

[NIATROSS]

agreed forrest gregg is scum for what he did.
now try taking the rose colored ditka glasses off.
ditka opened up  a charity under the guise of helping older nfl players in financial distress.he accepted at least over a million in donations(will check for total which im sure is more)to help those players.when it was found out that about only 10% had gone to those players in need he closed it and gave the misericordia his fav charity.

HE SCREWED OVER THE PLAYERS IN NEED AND THOSE WHO WERE TRYING TO HELP THEM !   100% FACT

i am a packer fan but the comments about the charity are on record

[careless hal]

HE SCREWED OVER THE PLAYERS IN NEED AND THOSE WHO WERE TRYING TO HELP THEM !   100% FACT

Far from fact.  His charity got off to a rough start mainly because they didn't know what they were doing more than anyone was out to screw anyone.  Yes, only about 10% of the initial money collected went to the retired players.  Ditka was embarrassed by the fact and immediately took steps to correct things.  He has been a leader in helping old retired players.  If you hate the guy I guess you will believe what you want to.


MU, FB, BAC, AMD Top Most Active Stocks (See Full List)
Five Hundred Retired NFL Players Assisted With The Help Of Mike Ditka's Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
PR NewswirePress Release: Gridiron Greats – Thu, Jan 31, 2013 3:52 PM EST
Email

Print
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- In conjunction with its announcement to co-host a Super Bowl Party in New Orleans on Friday, February 1, 2013, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund announces that it has helped over 500 retired NFL players and their families in the last six (6) years.  Gridiron Greats is an independent charity devoted to helping players who have been impacted by their playing days in the NFL and as a result fallen on hard times.  Gridiron Greats is working on a national scale to help these players get back on their feet.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/CG51960)
With everything from turning the heat back on to much needed surgery, Gridiron Greats continues to be the charity that is on the front lines doing the heavy lifting for those retired NFL players who are in dire need as a result of their days with the game they loved.
"We receive 4 to 5 new calls a week. We answer every call, and attempt to meet every need as best we can," says Gridiron Greats President, Shannon Jordan.  "Sometimes we assist them with rent and shelter, sometimes we put food on their table or provide winter coats and other times we help medically for a crippling injury," added Jordan.  "In every case, the story is that these men and their families need help.  They are hurting, and by the time they call us they are desperate".
Every day in the news we hear about men suffering medically, but the stories that aren't told are the men suffering from financial distress that need help right now. Gridiron Greats provides pro bono medical and dental but the men need assistance with everyday life before they take the gift of helping themselves medically. In most cases Gridiron Greats is their only lifeline.
"I am very proud of what our team has accomplished," says Chairman Mike Ditka.  "This is a very hands-on group with one central focus, to help each and every person that contacts us.  We can't always meet the full need, but we help in every way we can." added Ditka. "Sometimes players feel like it is 4th and 25, and they are on their own 3-yard line. We are their Hail Mary".
"We help in many ways, not just with money.  Our group makes calls on behalf of these men to arrange services and to plug them into local assistance and support" says Kyle Turley, Board Member, retired NFL player and current touring musician.  Turley was the first active player to donate a game check to Gridiron Greats in 2007.  Matt Birk, another Gridiron Greats Board Member, and soon to play in his first Super Bowl, added, "I am honored and thankful to help with this cause.  The damage goes far beyond the players we help.  Their families are greatly affected as well. The ripple effect is enormous."  Birk is not only a Board member but is one of Gridiron Greats largest donors each and every year.
"We are so grateful for the generosity of so many people.  The gifts we receive go a long way," said Jordan.  Over the holidays retired NFL players such as Mike Ditka, Ron Mix, Matt Birk, John Elway, Joe Greene, Dave Casper, Gary Fencik, Jim Covert, Conrad Dobler, Stephen Spurrier, Bob Lilly, Paul Flatley, Chuck Mercein made considerable donations to support our cause".
The group recently benefitted from an event in Florida, which raised approximately $50,000.00, in part due to two Heisman trophy footballs donated by Paul Hornung. In attendance were notables Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Cris Carter and long time Gridiron Greats supporter Mike Lucci.
"If you are in New Orleans on Friday, I'm looking forward to spending the evening with some of my close NFL friends, sharing stories and meeting the people who come out to support Gridiron Greats and The Kevin Turner Foundation," says Coach Ditka. "I am honored to co-host this event with Kevin Turner and Kyle Turley. These two charities are doing important work for former NFL players and raising awareness for some of the critical issues facing everyone involved in football at any level.  Please join me in supporting these two worthy causes."
To purchase tickets call Shannon Jordan, Gridiron Greats: (773) 867-8161.
About Gridiron Greats
The GGAF'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. GGAF 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, dental assistance, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.
About The Kevin Turner Foundation
The Kevin Turner Foundation has been created to bring attention to ALS and the need for a cure; to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain trauma in athletes at every level of competition and its connection to motor neuron diseases like ALS; and to financially support efforts to study, treat, prevent and ultimately cure this disease.
Media Contact: Shannon Jordan www.gridirongreats.org, 7738678161, shannonj@gridirongreats.org
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

[NIATROSS]

The charity to which i am referring to was called " HALL OF FAME ASSITANCE TRUST FUND "
It was closed in 2007 after multiple allegations.One of those allegations was that it in the 3 yrs it was open  gave out more money to celebs to play golf then it distributed to needy players over the 3 yrs it was open.
It was Laurie Styron of The National Institute of Philantropy that brought the allegations to light/

[NIATROSS]

i made a mistake
when ditka dissolved his charity he gave 1/2 of the remaining money to misericordia and the rest o gridiron greats.

http:usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-11-ditka-charity_N.htm

[NIATROSS]

i was off on the amount he gave to misericordia.
but why for no reason other then good p r why not give the whole balance to the people who it was donated for ?

HE SCREWED OVER THE PLAYERS IN NEED AND THOSE WHO WERE TRYING TO HELP THEM !   100% FACT

Far from fact.  His charity got off to a rough start mainly because they didn't know what they were doing more than anyone was out to screw anyone.  Yes, only about 10% of the initial money collected went to the retired players.  Ditka was embarrassed by the fact and immediately took steps to correct things.  He has been a leader in helping old retired players.  If you hate the guy I guess you will believe what you want to.


MU, FB, BAC, AMD Top Most Active Stocks (See Full List)
Five Hundred Retired NFL Players Assisted With The Help Of Mike Ditka's Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
PR NewswirePress Release: Gridiron Greats – Thu, Jan 31, 2013 3:52 PM EST
Email

Print
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- In conjunction with its announcement to co-host a Super Bowl Party in New Orleans on Friday, February 1, 2013, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund announces that it has helped over 500 retired NFL players and their families in the last six (6) years.  Gridiron Greats is an independent charity devoted to helping players who have been impacted by their playing days in the NFL and as a result fallen on hard times.  Gridiron Greats is working on a national scale to help these players get back on their feet.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/CG51960)
With everything from turning the heat back on to much needed surgery, Gridiron Greats continues to be the charity that is on the front lines doing the heavy lifting for those retired NFL players who are in dire need as a result of their days with the game they loved.
"We receive 4 to 5 new calls a week. We answer every call, and attempt to meet every need as best we can," says Gridiron Greats President, Shannon Jordan.  "Sometimes we assist them with rent and shelter, sometimes we put food on their table or provide winter coats and other times we help medically for a crippling injury," added Jordan.  "In every case, the story is that these men and their families need help.  They are hurting, and by the time they call us they are desperate".
Every day in the news we hear about men suffering medically, but the stories that aren't told are the men suffering from financial distress that need help right now. Gridiron Greats provides pro bono medical and dental but the men need assistance with everyday life before they take the gift of helping themselves medically. In most cases Gridiron Greats is their only lifeline.
"I am very proud of what our team has accomplished," says Chairman Mike Ditka.  "This is a very hands-on group with one central focus, to help each and every person that contacts us.  We can't always meet the full need, but we help in every way we can." added Ditka. "Sometimes players feel like it is 4th and 25, and they are on their own 3-yard line. We are their Hail Mary".
"We help in many ways, not just with money.  Our group makes calls on behalf of these men to arrange services and to plug them into local assistance and support" says Kyle Turley, Board Member, retired NFL player and current touring musician.  Turley was the first active player to donate a game check to Gridiron Greats in 2007.  Matt Birk, another Gridiron Greats Board Member, and soon to play in his first Super Bowl, added, "I am honored and thankful to help with this cause.  The damage goes far beyond the players we help.  Their families are greatly affected as well. The ripple effect is enormous."  Birk is not only a Board member but is one of Gridiron Greats largest donors each and every year.
"We are so grateful for the generosity of so many people.  The gifts we receive go a long way," said Jordan.  Over the holidays retired NFL players such as Mike Ditka, Ron Mix, Matt Birk, John Elway, Joe Greene, Dave Casper, Gary Fencik, Jim Covert, Conrad Dobler, Stephen Spurrier, Bob Lilly, Paul Flatley, Chuck Mercein made considerable donations to support our cause".
The group recently benefitted from an event in Florida, which raised approximately $50,000.00, in part due to two Heisman trophy footballs donated by Paul Hornung. In attendance were notables Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Cris Carter and long time Gridiron Greats supporter Mike Lucci.
"If you are in New Orleans on Friday, I'm looking forward to spending the evening with some of my close NFL friends, sharing stories and meeting the people who come out to support Gridiron Greats and The Kevin Turner Foundation," says Coach Ditka. "I am honored to co-host this event with Kevin Turner and Kyle Turley. These two charities are doing important work for former NFL players and raising awareness for some of the critical issues facing everyone involved in football at any level.  Please join me in supporting these two worthy causes."
To purchase tickets call Shannon Jordan, Gridiron Greats: (773) 867-8161.
About Gridiron Greats
The GGAF'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. GGAF 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, dental assistance, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments and childcare.
About The Kevin Turner Foundation
The Kevin Turner Foundation has been created to bring attention to ALS and the need for a cure; to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain trauma in athletes at every level of competition and its connection to motor neuron diseases like ALS; and to financially support efforts to study, treat, prevent and ultimately cure this disease.
Media Contact: Shannon Jordan www.gridirongreats.org, 7738678161, shannonj@gridirongreats.org
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

[careless hal]

Yes.  That attempt at helping the players did not work out.  You run a golf tourny.  Players pay $250 each to play in the "charity event"  What was happening is the company hired to stage the tournament was spending $225  a person to put it on.  ( those are just examples, not actual figures)  Bart Star says he's coming to play in it, but wants $2000 expense money to fly to Chicago, get a hotel a limo etc.  One would think many of these  ex Stars would and could pay their own expenses, but that was not the case. Then whatever money they had left to give out out to ex-players, well they simply didn't know how to give it away. They thought they could have the former players apply for aide but hardly any did.  The dummies should have hired some Chicago Democrats, they are experts in giving away other peoples money. Although his initial attempt to raise money was a bomb, Ditka did not give up and is more successful this time.  However, I'm sure many of the vultures out there would like to see him crucified.