Their paths first crossed on Jan. 20, 1985 in Stanford, California. It was Super Bowl XIX and the Miami Dolphins were squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers.
Doug Betters was an All-Pro defensive end, part of the vaunted “Killer B’s” and starting for the Dolphins in the midst of his 10-season professional career.
Eddie DeBartolo, Jr., the owner of the 49ers, was in the process of building an NFL dynasty that would eventually win five championships during the 1980s and 1990s, including the 1985 game against Betters and the Dolphins.
Over 30 years later, the two NFL titans and former rivals have formed an alliance here in the Flathead Valley, a place they have both called home for over three decades.
DeBartolo is teaming up with Betters to host the Play 60 Challenge, a fundraiser for Montana families with children in need of medical treatment outside of their communities.
The event, which is free and open to children ages 6 through 16, is Saturday, June 18 at Glacier High School in Kalispell.
DeBartolo is bringing a familiar crew of NFL greats to participate in the action, including Jerry Rice, a former 49er who is widely considered the greatest wide receiver ever and one of the all-time greatest players.
Joining Rice will be Dwight Clark, another former 49er wide receiver whose famous catch propelled San Francisco to its first Super Bowl championship in 1982, and Roger Craig, a former running back who played for three 49er championship teams. Rounding out the group of NFL celebrities will be Chase Reynolds, a former standout running back at the University of Montana who plays for the St. Louis Rams.
The Play 60 Challenge is free and open to the public with donations appreciated. All proceeds will benefit For the Children, Inc., a nonprofit charitable organization that provides financial assistance to Montana families with children who are in need of medical treatment outside of their community. Monies assist families with travel expenses such as transportation, lodging, and meals.
The event will feature games and activities for kids of all ages. The day will also feature other giveaways, raffle prizes, food and family fun.
“I’m happy to be involved in this event and to help these local families,” DeBartolo said.
“These guys love helping kids. All of these players are trying to do what they can and set their charities towards helping the less fortunate or those who are sick.”
Both DeBartolo and Betters have called the Flathead Valley home for over 30 years.
During his tenure as one of the most successful owners in NFL history, DeBartolo bought a home between Kalispell and Whitefish as an escape from the big city. DeBartolo has also established an office here and he spends over half the year at the Candy Bar Ranch.
Betters, the 1983 Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Pro defensive end in Miami over his standout career, bought a home in Whitefish in the 1980s. In 1985, he founded the Whitefish Winter Classic, a beloved annual tradition and one of the longest running and most successful charity events in Montana that raised nearly $2 million for local children in need of medical care.
Last year marked the event’s 30th anniversary and the final Winter Classic in its traditional form hosted by Betters and organized by his wife, Jennifer Prendergast.
The nonprofit organization tied to the Classic – For the Children – has remained active and continues to provide financial assistance to families across the state. The all-volunteer organization helps an average of 40-50 families every year. The average age of children helped by the organization is 7, and the average child needs three visits to treatment facilities across the region.
With this persistent need in mind, Betters and Prendergast have worked to keep For the Children running outside of the Winter Classic.
As fate would have it, two years ago, DeBartolo and Betters’ paths crossed in Whitefish. They talked about the transition away from the Winter Classic, and DeBartolo asked how he could help.
“When Eddie came forward, he said, ‘We really like what you’re doing and want to get involved.’ I said, ‘This is a great opportunity for us to partner up and bring some guys in.’ And to be able to bring Hall of Fame guys in on the same weekend is amazing.”
While garnering a strong reputation as an owner who supported his players, DeBartolo has also been a very active philanthropist through the DeBartolo Family Foundation, which he started as a way to provide scholarships to high school students, funds to schools for teaching supplies and help families in need.
Earlier this year, at Super Bowl 50, DeBartolo was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 during Hall of Fame weekend.
“I knew of Doug and the Winter Classic and all the great work they were doing and the kids they’ve helped,” DeBartolo said. “That’s where you should start helping, with the children.”