Passing of a legend

Sarasota, FL – 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 Association continues to live on through promoting the grassroots level of football and remaining true to the organization's motto of Semi Pro & Proud.

Ron Real 1938 - 2008

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