NFL Names In The News: 49ers To Honor Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

49ers Inducting Eddie DeBartolo (c) Into New HOF During Ceremony Next Weekend

The 49ers next weekend will honor former Owner EDDIE DEBARTOLO JR. during a series of events ahead of the team's home opener against the Seahawks. The team on September 19 will induct DeBartolo as the first member of the new 49ers HOF, and also will recognize him during halftime of the Seahawks game the following day. Splice Communications, Visa and Devcon Construction are sponsoring the Saturday gala (49ers).

STEELERS' CHARITY STRIPE: Steelers WR SANTONIO HOLMES Saturday hosted the Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon outside Pittsburgh, the first event of his newly formed III & Long Foundation. Holmes' son, SANTONIO III, has sickle-cell disease, and Holmes is "trying to raise money to support research for a cure" and intends for the charity to be a "long-term commitment" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 9/6)....Steelers LB LAMARR WOODLEY has pledged to donate $500 for every sack he records this season to charity, and is looking for sponsors to match his pledge (THE DAILY)....This morning's edition of NBC's "Today" profiled the friendship between Steelers SS TROY POLAMALU and HEATHER MILLER, an 11-year-old cancer patient. NBC's Tiki Barber said Polamalu is "with Heather every step of the way, providing support and comfort when needed." Polamalu invited Miller and her family to practice and then presented her tickets to the Steelers-Titans game tonight ("Today," NBC, 9/10).

MORE COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Bills WR TERRELL OWENS Tuesday kicked off a new fundraising campaign for the Food Bank of Western New York at 81tackleshunger.com, his "first charitable effort in Buffalo." The campaign will include TV, radio and print ads starring Owens, asking individuals to donate $0.81 and businesses $81 to help the Food Bank. Buffalo-based SKM Group and Tops Markets are co-sponsoring the effort (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/9)....Giants QB ELI MANNING and Colts QB PEYTON MANNING Tuesday appeared on CBS' "The Early Show" to promote their new children's book, "FAMILY HUDDLE," written with their father, former NFLer ARCHIE. Peyton said the book targets "underprivileged kids, children in need," adding the Mannings will "donate one million books" ("The Early Show," CBS, 9/8).

NAMES: Main Line Animal Rescue is "buying ad space in newspapers that operate in cities" the Eagles and QB MICHAEL VICK will visit throughout the season, including in today's Washington Post. The ads will "encourage local animal lovers to visit shelters to pamper pit bulls on the day the Eagles and Vick play in that city," and the group "pledges five bags of dog food for every time Vick gets tackled" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/10)....In Denver, Penny Parker profiles Broncos caterer AVIE ROSACCI, who "develops weekly meal menus, then runs them by the team's registered dietitian." The Broncos this season debuted an "actual kitchen" in collaboration with Rosacci, who said of her work, "I don't make them sign a contract anymore. I work a little differently. Either they want me or they don't. I'd rather work for people who want me there" (DENVER POST, 9/10)....Pro Football HOFer DICK BUTKUS on October 15 will host a fundraiser for his new anti-steroid program, "I Play Clean," in Chicago, and he would "like to see NFL stars get behind the initiative, aimed mainly at high school athletes" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/8)....Fox NFL analyst TROY AIKMAN appeared on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" this morning to promote his association with Campbell's Chunky Soup and their new healthier choices (Fox News, 9/10).