NFL Legends set to convene at Downtown fundraiser for Karli Short Foundation

On the eve of a star-studded fundraiser to benefit the Karli Short Better Tomorrow Foundation, Brandon Short was going through a range of emotions.

“It’s extremely difficult to consistently speak about the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” he told a reporter Thursday.

The McKeesport native and former NFL player was speaking about his 26-year-old daughter Karli who was shot and killed last September in the Christy Park section of McKeesport. She was five months pregnant.

Since then, Short, a member of the board of trustees of Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, and his wife Mahreen have helped create a foundation to honor his daughter’s memory. It will provide financial support and mentorship to undergraduates at that campus dealing with the fallout of gun violence.

Friday marks a major milestone in that effort, a fundraiser set for the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh with a list of NFL greats that includes Franco Harris, Curtis Martin, LaVar Arrington, Joey Porter and Mike Logan, among others.

Short, a former Penn State Nittany Lions, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers star, said he is humbled by the amount of support he has received.

“We’ve received support from friends, family, strangers who have become family because of how dedicated they’ve been in trying to help us achieve our goal of supporting students who have been affected by gun violence,” said Short.

“Hopefully it pays off. No matter what happens, Karli’s name will live on. Through her spirit, we’re going to be able to help people.”

Short said as more and more people have learned about the foundation, support has grown.

“We’re supporting a cause that affects far too many people and that number is growing because the problem of gun violence is growing,” he said. “I’m not a politician and we’re not able to fight in a political arena, but this is where we can try and make an impact on people’s lives.”

The event will feature an auction of sports memorabilia items, including a Bill Mazeroski signed baseball, Super Bowl tickets, Steelers tickets and Penguins tickets.

“The entire Pittsburgh sports community came out. Pirates, Penguins, Steelers, all of them,” said Short. “They’ve been so generous and kind. I’m humbled.”