14-17-HuskerGreats-1013_- 9/17/13 1:45 PM Page 15
metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha
HUSKER LEGEND JERRY MURTAUGH HAS A HEART FOR FORMER ATHLETES MURTAUGH STARTED THE HUSKER GREATS FOUNDATION IN ORDER TO HELP FORMER NEBRASKA ATHLETES WITH THEIR MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY NEEDS. THANKS TO MURTAUGH’S VISION, SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED THE HELP THEY NEED TO LIVE FULLER LIVES. The “Big Red Runway” event on October 20 at Omaha's Regency Shopping Center aims to raise more funds to further assist those affected by illness or disabilities. Murtaugh is living proof there truly is no place like Nebraska. The phone rings and a gentleman on the other end of the line struggles to lift the receiver to his ear. There’s a slight notion that someone is breathing, but no words have been spoken. Finally, the man says ‘hello’ in a faint whisper. His name is DAVID HUMM, former starter for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Huskers football team (1972-74) and retired professional NFL football player. He mentions he’s in a wheelchair and needs a minute to get comfortable. Sadly, Humm was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 36 and lost use of his legs in 1997. Since then, he’s found it difficult to take care of his daily needs. In fact, it was hard for him to ask for help. Even after it was offered, he still had trouble accepting it.
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Humm is just one example of why fellow Husker player Murtaugh started the Husker Greats Foundation. Its mission is clear: “to provide medical and emergency assistance to former athletes, both men and women, who lettered in their respective sports while attending a university or college in the State of Nebraska.” Murtaugh, a former AllAmerican linebacker in 1970, initially got involved after throwing a fundraiser in Omaha in November 2005. He invited former Husker fullback ANDRE FRANKLIN to the event and could have never predicted what would transpire. “That night, I’m introducing myself to these guys and there’s this young man, very heavy, profusely sweating and shaking,” Murtaugh explains. “And I introduced myself and he says, ‘Well, I’m Andre Franklin.’ I said, ‘Oh, nice to meet you Andre. What’s wrong?’ He said, ‘I have been sick lately and hitchhiking from Lincoln to your event didn’t help me.’ I couldn’t believe what he had just told me. “He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I gave my word to a Husker that I’d be there and I’m here,’” he continues. “ I was worried about how he was going to get home. He told me he was going to hitchhike again. I didn’t let that happen. We got him home, but I hadn’t heard anything from him after that. A couple of years later, he died, destitute and alone in Nebraska.”
“I am humbled and embarrassed by the position I am in,” Humm admits. “I’m a quarterback and I’m used to taking care of my huddle. I’m used to Murtaugh carried that guilt around with him for taking care of the guys. I’m used to taking care of years. He blamed himself for not being able to the ladies in my life. I’m used to taking care of my help him. friends. It’s hard to be in this position. I also have a little girl and I’ve lost our security. It just breaks my “This project was brought to me to help former heart. I’m in a position where I don’t have any athletes at Nebraska, men and women, with their options anymore.” medical and emergency needs,” he said. “I jumped right on it because I was thinking about Andre. That’s where JERRY MURTAUGH and the Husker I thought Andre was giving me a second chance to Greats Foundation come in. The Husker Greats help. I know he had a lot to do with this.” Foundation is a 501c3, non-profit organization started by Murtaugh in 2012. “Jerry has a heart as big as this state,” Humm continues. “He heard about my MS and reached out to me. Over the last 2 years, I’ve been in and out of the hospital so many times I’ve lost count. Because of my medical bills and copay charges, I’ve gone through all of my money. So Jerry says, ‘we’re going to come up with a foundation that can help any Husker take care of their medical bills.’ And he did. He helped me pay my medical bills.”
Since then, the Husker Greats Foundation has produced several fundraisers to help ex-Huskers like Humm, and on Sunday, October 20, the foundation hosts the “Big Red Runway,” an event honoring Husker women athletes. Sponsored by metroMAGAZINE and CHRISTIAN NOBEL, the “Big Red Runway” is held at Regency Shopping Center in Omaha. It features a style show, silent auction, refreshments, and raffle. All profits benefit the Husker Greats Foundation.
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