NFL alum Fred Biletnikoff has led an extraordinary life since playing for the Raiders a half-century ago.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer has received many accolades for his football accomplishments but there also has been heart-breaking personal loss over the years.
His beautiful 20-year-old daughter Tracey was killed by a boyfriend in 1999.
The Biletnikoff Foundation was started subsequently by Fred and his wife Angela to commemorate Tracey’s young life and to help women who are in difficult domestic relationships. The Foundation has raised millions of dollars over the years to help address the related problems of substance abuse and domestic violence. His most recent Foundation golf tournament was held six weeks ago in Las Vegas and dozens of NFL alumni and other celebrities attended to support the fundraising event.
Last month, another significant event took place, but this was one in Fred’s hometown of Erie, PA. His high school alma mater–Erie High– honored him by naming its football field after Fred. The $6 million Erie School District project will transform the football stadium into a modern athletic facility. Biletnikoff was a multi-sport athlete as a student at the school in the early 1960s.
The stadium upgrades include installation of a turf field, increased stadium seating, a large concession stand and an 8-lane track around the field. The renovations are expected to be completed this Fall.
“To have my name on this field,” Biletnikoff said at the groundbreaking, “and to become part of this schools and Erie sports history, it means a lot to me. We must keep doing something for our kids here, something that they can be truly proud of. This is going to be a first-class facility, a special place that I will be pleased to have my name on. I am so happy that the school board finally got this project approved. It is going to help so many young men and women feel like they’re special, because they truly are special.”
We at NFL Alumni appreciate and support Fred Biletnikoff, who is very special to us. We wish him and Angela continued success in their fundraising and Foundation efforts across the nation.
