The only player I’ve received a full response from in the Gratitude to Greats project that since starting the project, I’ve happened to meet in New Orleans happens to be Tony Dorsett, the face of the Landry Cowboys rushing game. Dorsett rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first eight non-strike seasons, and in 1982 against the Vikings, set a record that has only been able to be tied, but will never be broken: a 99-yard touchdown run.
Dorsett responded with the assurance he is praying for me. Then…on January 11, 2020, Tony made an appearance at an event I happened to be at, the NCAA National Championship Fan Central. I was very honored to be able to meet Tony and give him a personal thank you for taking the time to respond in the Gratitude to Greats project, and let him know I am now cancer-free!
I did a raffle on my page for the ball I got him to autograph that day, and half of the proceeds I donated to the Patrick Risha CTE Foundation, which went toward billboard advertising expenses to raise awareness of CTE. Dorsett has been battling CTE, a degenerative brain condition that a share of former NFL players have dealt with for quite some time, and it was my honor to help raise awareness about this debilitating disease.
My NFL 100: Gratitude to Greats Project 