Who We Are
When you first hear the words "Gridiron Heroes" a picture of football's greatest players is most likely the image that appears in your mind. What if you were told that there is a group of young men who will never have the opportunity to play football again? In fact, these young men struggle to merely survive the most simple tasks of the day due to a spinal cord injury. For these young men and their families, most days begin with grueling regimens that require assistance in having to do the most basic functions of life. Paralysis, difficulty in breathing and many more serious health concerns are but a few of the challenges that our "Gridiron Heroes" face every day. Gridiron Heroes supports those families whose injured athletes have long been forgotten by the media and fans who once cheered them on to victory.
Our Organization's Mission
Gridiron Heroes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, provides immediate and long-term resources and support to individuals sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord injury through activities associated with high school football.
Who We Serve
Serving high school athletes who suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury playing football and whose lives have been changed forever. Recent endorsement by the American Football Coaches Association was done to take steps towards taking Gridiron Heroes nationwide increasing the numbers of football players and families needing the sustained resources.
Our Programs
Each family is priveded a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart every month. This is to help with basic needs for the injured athlete, from medical supplies to food. Another program is called Van Quest, which seeks wheelchair-accessible vans for the injured athletes.
Upcoming Events
May 16 & 17 2008
Gridiron Heroes Coaching Clinic
at Rice University Houston,TX
Sign up information is on our website.
June 1 2008
5th Annual Rio Grande Valley Golf Tournament
Weslaco, Texas
Sign up information is on our website.
Plano West Quarterback Club Tennis & Golf Tournament
Frisco, Texas
Sign up information is on our website.
For more information, please visit www.GridironHeroes.org.
Board of Directors
Ron Booker, Chairman;
Surcie Thompson, Vice-Chairman;
Patrick Canales, Secretary;
Eric Mery, Treasurer;
Dr. Charles Kemble;
Terri Booker;
Crystal Brown;
Roberto Valdez
Major Supporters and Sponsors
David Bailiff, Football Coach;
Peter Berg, Actor/Director;
Mack Brown, Football Coach;
Ronny Flowers, Business Owner;
Dennis Franchione, Football Coach;
Red McCombs, Former Owner, San Antonio Spurs;
Billy Bob Thornton, Actor;
Tim McGraw, Country Music Star;
Jerry King-Echevarria, Business Owner
| Year Founded : |
2002 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
2002 |
| Full-Time Employees : |
1 |
| Volunteers : |
50 |
| Annual Income : |
$125,000 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$25,000 |
What Sets Us Apart
Gridiron Heroes is one of the only foundations of its kind in the country. Most spinal cord injury organizations focus on medical research. Gridiron Heroes focuses on the families impacted by the injury, working for both preventative and long-term care and resources. Providing information,inspiration and most of all HOPE. On the athletic side of this injury, Gridiron Heroes is working on the prevention of Head and Spinal Cord Injuries in football. This is done through coaching clinics and the promotion of the proper tackling techniques.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
The objective for Gridiron Heroes in the coming fiscal year is to raise over a quarter million dollars; which would be a record!
Recent Accomplishments
Gridiron Heroes has worked with several celebrities and volunteers all over the country to help raise much needed funds. A relationship with movie director Peter Berg helped initiate a concert by cast members of the movie “Friday Night Lights”. Tim McGraw, Billy Bob Thorton, and a special appearance by Faith Hill, Alice Cooper and Dusty from ZZ Top provided entertainment.
In the TV version of “Friday Night Lights” Chris and his dad Eddie Canales worked with writers to help create the initial episode and pilot for the show in which a football player suffers a spinal cord injury.
In 2007 Gridiron Heroes received the endorsement of the American Football Coaches Association with the goal of creating a nationwide attention.
Gridiron Heroes has been recognized by the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry and received a proclamation.
Chris and Eddie Canales founded Gridiron Heroes in 2002, were recently in Washington, DC. Chris was nominated and inducted into the 2007 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Hall of Fame under the category of Grassroots’ Organization.
Most importantly the awareness has provided much needed funds that have helped Gridiron Heroes improve the quality of life for our injured athletes by being able to donate two new wheelchair accessible vans and other durable goods,equipment,supplies and therapy that would otherwise be denied by insurance or government entities.
