The Origin of "UFC: Fight for the Troops"
by Luke Thomas on Dec 9, 2008 9:48 AM EST
in MMA News
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PrintThe UFC has always been military-friendly, but it looks like Lorenzo has contacts in all walks of life:
The organizations are working with the Department of Defense to help build the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a research facility in Bethesda, Md., that will be dedicated to treating troops who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
The organizations have already raised $50 million.
"This will go a long way to reach our goal," said Arnold Fisher, vice chairman of Fisher House.
Fisher contacted UFC co-founder Lorenzo Fertitta, an old friend, about six months ago about raising money for the project.
Good on the UFC for using their resources to help wounded veterans. My old XO had a brain anuerism in Iraq and has waded through more than five crainioplasties in Walter Reed. Witnessing what he and other wounded vets must wade through makes the word "taxing" seem like a quiant euphimism. Let's hope that despite a shrinkage in disposable income Americans open their pocketbooks to this very worthy cause.
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The live gate from a single NFL game
Would dwarf whatever the UFC is able to raise for the troops, and it’s utterly shameful that our sport is doing something like this, in these times, while other companies strictly look out for their bottom line. Props to Dana, and to BE for highlighting this.
by Derek Suboticki on Dec 9, 2008 10:15 AM EST reply actions
That's not exactly fair
All of the major sports leagues are involved in charitable events. The NFL is an enormous partner with United Way. And all the major sports teams here in Philly have huge charity events. Phillies ALS Phestival. Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival. The Eagles alone have a book mobile, run eye exams for low income kids, partner with Eagles Fly for Leukemia, and have an charity carnival every August.
This is a great thing that the UFC is doing but there’s no reason to knock other organizations to prop it up. Pretty much all sports organizations get involved with charities one way or another.
Huh?
I’m confused by this statement you made:
it’s utterly shameful that our sport is doing something like this, in these times, while other companies strictly look out for their bottom line.
The rest of your post seems to suggest the UFC doing this is a good thing, but that statement seems to say the opposite. Did you mean it’s shameful that mma is doing something like this when the bigger sports could raise more — it’s shameful that they are not doing it or that “only” our sport is doing this? Just wondering what you meant …
huh?
I really don’t see how the US DOD can ask for ANY money. Sure, I feel bad for those who get injured in the line of duty, but how is this our obligation? Don’t we already pay taxes for this type of stuff? The US gov’t should be ashamed of themselves for wasting BILLIONS of dollars in R&D for better ways to kill people, while asking the private sector and general public for fiscal aid to try to help the people THAT THEY SEND TO FIGHT!!…unreal.
"I'm ready. It doesn't matter with who or where. On foot or on horseback. With maces or poleaxes. To fight. To first blood or to death. It doesn't matter, I'm ready to fight." -- Александр Емельяненко
My cousin
has a stroke when he got back from Iraq they related to PTSD – prob the same thing your XO had. I feel for him and wish em the best of luck. Its nice to see a league giving back like this because it will incite others to do the same, rather than giving a portion of the proceeds you know?
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