CHICAGO, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund will hold its sixth annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, May 16, 2014. This dinner will honor players for their outstanding NFL playing careers and their legendary charitable work off the field. More than 60 players will be in attendance.

Gridiron Greats, led by Mike Ditka, will be inducting the following as Hall of Fame honorees: Dan Reeves, Maxie Baughan, Jim Brandstatter, Matt Dunigan, Doug English, Derrick Mason, Muhsin Muhammad, Eddie Murray, and Brian Westbrook. In addition, they will be awarding Detroit Lions Center; Dominic Raiola with the Ron Kramer Award, who is the unsung hero of the 2013 Detroit Lions and Mike Utley will be awarded the Tim Pendell award for community service.

"This event celebrates deserving players not only for their careers on the field but for their continued investment in the community, which go above and beyond expectations," said Mike Ditka, Chairman of the Gridiron Greats.

Tickets for the dinner cost $150 per person or $1,250 per table of ten. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

The Autograph Show on Saturday, May 17, 2014 will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Gibraltar Trade Center and will include a star-studded lineup for fans to meet their favorite legends. For players' times and autograph pricing go to Gibraltar Trade Center and SigningsHotline.com.

"We are excited to host this dinner and thank these men for all they have done," said Shannon Jordan, President of Gridiron Greats. "We are so thankful to Mark Lewis, Tom Nowatzke and all of our volunteers for their efforts in making this dinner a huge success. This event has tripled in size and the monies raised have helped a lot of retired players who have fallen on hard times."

Special thanks to our sponsors: The Detroit Lions as Presenting Partner, Frosch as travel partner, Kenwal Steel, Greektown Casino Hotel, Kolo Charities, Lady Janes Haircuts for Men, OAA Orthopedic Specialists, Coastal Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Victory Capital Management, Rudolph Foods, RMD Advertising, Canadian Football League, Great Lakes Wire & Cable, Inc., and G3 Systems, Inc.

To purchase dinner tickets or inquire about a sponsorship you may contact us at [email protected] or call Mark Lewis at (248) 444-2241.

Guests can access rooms at the Greektown Casino Hotel by using group code GRID132. For any airline travel needs contact Gridiron Greats Travel Partner Frosch through Wendy Schlax at [email protected].

About Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, Inc. (GGAF) is a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation that has received recognition of federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gridiron Greats 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.

SOURCE Gridiron Greats