Mason Dixon Football League

Passing of a Legend: Ron Real 1938 - 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media - contact Dave Burch at AFA National Office
(877) 624-4485
(e-mail) amerfoot@aol.com
(website) www.americanfootballassn.com

Passing of a Legend: Ron Real 1938 - 2008
Today the Semi Pro Football world lost one of its living legends
with the passing of Ron Real Tuesday night at his home in Sarasota,
Florida of complications from cancer. Our hearts, thoughts and
prayers go out to his family at the loss of this great man. Ron was
truly one of a kind and added so much to all of our lives in the
American Football Association Family as well as the Real family.

The American Football Association was founded in 1980 by Ronald J.
Real under the name Minor Professional Football Association (MPFA).
Its main function initially was to conduct an annual post-season
championship tournament for teams at the time calling themselves
“minor league”. Ron also pioneered recognition for the semi pro
level of football by creating the Semi Pro Hall of Fame. His name
was, and still is, one of the most well known when it comes to the
semi pro level of football.

Real dedicated his life to the advancement of semi-pro football, and
today the American Football Association is in its 29th year of
service as the national association for semi-pro/minor league
football organizations with several hundred members in its Semi Pro
Hall of Fame. The AFA provides services to approximately 800 teams
in 62 different leagues, covering 47 states plus the District of
Columbia. There are some 75,000 active football players, coaches,
administrators, trainers, officials, and even cheerleaders
participating annually in this level of sport.

Ron’s final wish was that his dream for the American Football
Assocaition continue to live on through promoting the grassroots
level of football and remaining true to the organization's motto of
Semi Pro & Proud.

Arrangements have not yet been completed but expressions of sympathy
can be sent to:

Ron Real Family
800 Ben Franklin Drive
Suite 202
Sarasota, Florida 34236
rjreal@comcast.net


About the American Football Association:
The AFA is a 501C(3) non profit dedicated to the advancement of
semi-pro/minor league football throughout the United States and
serves as the National Organization for non-professional leagues and
teams from coast-to-coast. For more information about the AFA,
please visit their Web site: www.americanfootballassn.com

Real, Ronald J.

Nov. 1, 1937 – June 10, 2008

Ronald J. Real, 70, of Sarasota, Florida - formerly of Elmhurst, IL died
June 10, 2008 in his home surrounded by his family.

Services are being arranged to be held in Elmhurst, IL.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Cecilia (nee Sieroslawski). Seven
children, Sherry (Rick) Davies, Rory (Kathy) Real, Ronda Real, Roxanne
(Tom) Knapp, Rae Ellen Pugliese, Mike (Pam) Real, and Russ (Rachael)
Real. Twelve grandchildren, Jolie (Matt), Brittany, Talia, Parker, Riley,
McKall, Taylor, Brady, Payton, Landon, Carson & Trevor.

Ron was a dear Brother- in- law to Gloria Pasik, Loving Uncle to many
nieces and nephews. Devoted friend to many. He is preceded in death by
his parents Raymond & Loretta Real. Sisters, LaVerne Malone & Shirley
Ruess. His best friend and brother-in-law Donald Pasik.

Ron was the President of the American Football Association (AFA), and also
the President of the Lido Ambassador Condominium Association where he
resided.

The AFA was founded in 1980 by Ronald J. Real under the name Minor
Professional Football Association (MPFA). Real dedicated his life to the
advancement of semi-pro football, and today the American Football
Association is in its 29th year of service as the national association for
semi-pro/minor league football organizations. It provides services to
approximately 800 teams in 62 different leagues, covering 47 states plus
the District of Columbia. There are some 75,000 active football players,
coaches, administrators, trainers, officials, and even cheerleaders
participating annually in this level of sport.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to TideWell Hospice and
Pallative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota Fl 34238 (www.tidewell.org)

Ron Real did a lot for anyone and everyone involved with our level of football.
He was a true pioneer and it is an undeniable fact that ALL of us stand on a foundation that he (and others like him) helped to build.

Two quotes come to mind...
"God himself took a day to rest in, and a good man's grave is his Sabbath." ~John Donne

"Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life." ~Albert Einstein

Ron was a true 'Father' of our sport... Whether we are taking to the fields to compete or sitting in our meetings to plan, let us each be resolved to pour out an effort that is worthy of the legacy he left behind.