COACH MIKE DITKA AND RON "JAWS" JAWORSKI LIGHTING UP SAN FRANCISCO WITH "CIGARS WITH THE STARS" CHARITY EVENT

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Sept. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Super Bowl 50 celebration in San Francisco will kick off on Thursday, February 4 as Hall of Fame coach Mike Ditka and ESPN NFL Football Analyst Ron "Jaws" Jaworski co-host Cigars With The Stars presented by Premier Stem Cell Institute. The 7th annual fundraiser will be held at Jones in San Francisco, CA and will allow attendees to spend time with the biggest names in football, smoke premium cigars, and contribute to four worthy causes.

Mike Ditka and Ron "Jaws" Jaworski will be joined by many of their football friends, ESPN personalities and other celebrities. Special guests scheduled to attend include Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Suzy Kolber, Mike Golic, Merril Hoge and many more. The most-up-to-date list can be viewed at www.ditkajawscigars.com.

This VIP Cigar Party will feature a red carpet entrance, premium cigars from the industry's top brands, premium brand open bar, appetizers and a silent auction. Event sponsors to date include: Presenting Sponsor Premier Stem Cell Institute, Don Julio, Camacho Cigars, Xikar, General Cigar, Miami Cigar, Rocky Patel Cigar, Ventura Cigars, SAG Imports, Bradford White, and Diageo.

"I'm looking forward to spending the evening with some of my close NFL friends, sharing stories and meeting the people who come out to support these four great charities," says Coach Ditka. "These charities are doing important work for former NFL players and raising awareness for some of the critical issues facing everyone involved in football at any level. Please join me in supporting these worthy causes."

"Coach and I are so excited to bring together three of our favorite things – football, cigars and the opportunity to give back – for an unforgettable event," said Ron Jaworski.  "This event is a perfect way to kick-off the excitement of Super Bowl Weekend!"

All proceeds from the event will go to Gridiron Greats, Pro Football Legends, Jaws Youth Playbook, and The Kevin Turner Foundation.

To purchase tickets or sponsor event go to: www.ditkajawscigars.com.

For more information, please contact Shannon Jordan, shannonj@gridirongreats.org or Samantha Arnone, samantha.arnone@nflalumni.org. 

About Gridiron Greats

The GGAF's mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL's status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands-on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, dental assistance, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food and other day-to-day necessities. GridironGreats.org

About Pro Football Legends

Pro Football Legends is the commercial marketing name and logo of the NFL Alumni Association, a nationwide group comprised mainly of former National Football League players, coaches, and other employees whose mission is to serve, assist, and inform players and their families. The association offers a variety of medical, financial, and social programs to help members lead healthy, productive and connected lives, as well as community initiatives under its "Caring for Kids" programs. For more information, please visit: NFLAlumni.org

About Jaws Youth Playbook

Jaws Youth Playbook (JYP) focuses on a mission to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. JYP does this by raising awareness and advocating for the access to safe play and healthy choices, and supporting programs providing positive youth health and wellness platforms. JYP focuses on three Pillars of: Environment (access to play and physical play spaces), Nutrition, and advocacy. JawsYouthPlaybook.org

About The Kevin Turner Foundation

The Kevin Turner Foundation has been created to bring attention to ALS and the need for a cure; to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain trauma in athletes at every level of competition and its connection to motor neuron diseases like ALS; and to financially support efforts to study, treat, prevent and ultimately cure this disease. KevinTurnerFoundation.org