Comments on: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:55:38 +0000

ED I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU SAW THIS…………Since it was appropriate to what you had mentioned:

Ditka to Dissolve Assistance Fund After Critical Report

Dec 11, 3:00 PM (ET)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -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 has actually 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 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 retired players who have feuded with the NFL Players Association over how disability benefits are distributed to former players.

Jennifer Smith, a spokeswoman for Gridiron Greats, said the infusion from Ditka’s fund would “make a major impact” on her group’s efforts.

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:47:34 +0000

Thumbs up to the Boston Celtics who are 17-2 and destroying their opponents. WOW - Keep it up!

Thumbs up also go out to the Dallas Cowboys who scored the winning touchdown with 18 seconds to go!

Merrill

By: Lorri

Lorri — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:38:47 +0000

You sure did not have too good an experience in Atlanta lately between the Marriott and Jersey Mike’s. Sorry to hear that. I don’t like it when people have a bad experience in my city. Hope all your experiences in the future are a “10.”

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:47:02 +0000

Thumbs up to Jersey Mikes in Irving Texas for not only making outstanding subs but for moving the line very quickly, efficiently while being very friendly. Thumbs down to Jersey Mikes in Marietta, Georgia for having a very slow and disorganized process.

Sounds like a training opportunity to me!

Merrill

By: Steve Schlesinger

Steve Schlesinger — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:09:15 +0000

Thumbs up to all those who reach deep down during the holiday season to give to someone in need - DON’T FORGOT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THEN YOU!

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:42:57 +0000

Thumbs up to Kenny Rogers the 43-year-old left-hander ended his free agency Friday and will return to the Detroit Tigers for a third season. Rogers agreed to a one-year deal, representing himself in contract negotiations.

I for one am very tired of agents like Scott Boras and Drew Rosenhaus - they clearly have contributed to escalating salaries and tickets prices which has forced the average fan to go to far less games then they want to.

By: kath

kath — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:00:00 +0000

2 Thumbs up for Apple!
Their products make me happy; clean design, easy to use and
their packaging makes me giddy.
I

By: Merrill Dubrow

Merrill Dubrow — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:46:33 +0000

Ed,

I COULDN’T agree with you more. Too many times we see veteran NFL players struggling financially - many of them were “warriors” on the field and have trouble walking.

This is very hard to see - I hope the NFL can help all of their fraternity members.

Merrill

By: Ed Sugar

Ed Sugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:33:31 +0000

Thumbs up (and way up) for Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kyle Turley. This Tuesday, he announced that he would be donating his December 23rd game check, worth $25,000, to helped retired NFL players.

Thumbs down (and way down, miles below Hank Steinbrenner & AROD) to the NFL owners and Players Association (especially the owners). They have more money than any other professional athletic organization, but they cannot create a system for taking care of the people who made them billionaires. Leading into last night’s Dallas/Green Bay game, the NFL was making a power play to force the cable companies to carrying their TV channel as a “free” basic channel. The same league that is asking every cable subscriber (whether they are football fans or not) to pay an additional $.017 a month for their struggling TV venture, refuses to pony up one additional cent to aid their ailing retired veterans. As of this date not one NFL player or team official has stepped up and matched Turley’s donation.

In a word - shameful.

By: Dan Krason

Dan Krason — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:54:03 +0000

Thumbs-down to American Airlines for not even offering a snack on a 3,000 miles flight. If discount airlines can spare a couple peanuts, how come a ‘premier’ carrier cannot? Thumbs-up to the stranger in Philadelphia who let me know that I had dropped my Treo in a puddle when I got out of a cab. Double thumbs-up to Palm — the Treo still worked! All thumbs, fingers and toes up in the air to little kids around the holidays — their enthusiasm is so genuine, and it often (though understandably not always) goes beyond the gifts they hope to receive…