Gridiron Alliance promotes awareness and prevention of catastrophic injuries to high school student-athletes. We advocate for injured players and their families when they need strength the most.
Kenneth Jennings
Founder & Advocate
A journey of resilience that became a movement to protect the next generation of athletes.
1On Oct. 8, 1988, Jennings, then a junior at Simeon High School, suffered a broken neck on the opening kickoff of a game against Corliss. The collision left him a quadriplegic, facing a future unable to move anything from the neck down. At the time, doctors gave him only 10 years to live.
2“People say, ‘How can you celebrate a tragedy?’ I say I was reborn on that day. Everything I had was taken away from me. I was like a newborn. I had to relearn everything — how to talk, how to breathe on my own. Every year that I’m still here is a way of thinking that God gave my life back to me. How do you not celebrate a gift?”
3We promote awareness and prevention of catastrophic injuries to high school student-athletes. We are advocates and share “best practice” resources with schools, families, and athletes so that no young player faces the aftermath of injury alone.
“No young athlete should face the aftermath of a catastrophic injury alone.”
Promoting awareness and best-practice safety resources to prevent catastrophic sports injuries.
Standing with injured athletes and their families, offering strength and mentorship through recovery.
Fighting for policy change so every school protects the students who play for them.
Every donation fuels prevention education, family support, and advocacy for injured student-athletes across the country. Join us in turning tragedy into triumph.
Secure donation. Gridiron Alliance is a nonprofit foundation.
From the hospital bed to the state capitol, Kenneth's fight for injured athletes changed policy for good.
Kenneth Jennings speaks to Illinois State legislators about the importance of protecting high school players who suffer catastrophic injuries while playing team and individual sports.
Kenneth Jennings sits beside Illinois Governor Quinn as he passes “Rocky’s Law,” requiring all school districts to provide catastrophic accident insurance for athletes injured while playing high school sports.
For years, Kenneth Jennings has fought for injured high school sports players — standing up for students and families when they need strength the most.
In 1988, members of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears visited Kenneth Jennings while he was recovering from his football injury. During that time, he formed a close friendship with NFL Super Bowl champion Richard Dent — a proud supporter of the Gridiron Alliance Foundation to this day.
1985
Super Bowl Champions
Richard Dent
Hall of Famer & Supporter
Watch the moments, tributes, and testimonies that capture a life of impact.
Vision, Sight & Purpose Master Class
Simeon High School Retires #31
Kenneth has waited a lifetime for this moment
A classmate and celebrity poet's biography in verse
A mentor and father figure to many
This is full circle. Just as I once had mentors, I am now that mentor visiting future mentors in the same place where I started my recovery journey.
Kenneth Jennings
Founder, on returning to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Every child needs a word of encouragement. They need to know that despite the obstacles they face, they can make it.
Gridiron Alliance
Every School, Every Child initiative
It takes a whole team to get the job done. Our motto is simple: all hands on deck.
Life Center Group
Giving back together
From patients to students to the next generation of athletes, the mission keeps giving back.
Giving back to the rehabilitation center and mentors who helped launch his recovery journey.
“If God blessed me with a second chance at life after my injury, He can do the same for you.”
Kenneth represents Gridiron Alliance, speaking to medical students at Northwestern University.
Every school, every child — bringing encouragement and hope to young people facing obstacles.
Join Gridiron Alliance in protecting young athletes and supporting families through their hardest moments. Your gift makes it possible.
Questions, partnerships, or speaking requests? Reach out and a member of the Gridiron Alliance team will get back to you.