Doug's Story

Doug Betters was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved under the Big Sky when he was recruited by the University of Montana Grizzlies in 1974. He quickly discovered Whitefish during his college football years and resolved to make the quaint ski town his new home.

After college, Betters was snapped up by the Miami Dolphins upon entering the NFL draft. Don Shula, Former Head Coach of the Dolphins, stated "No one had more heart than Doug. He was a sixth round pick in 1978 and established himself as one of the NFL's all-time great pass rushers." Over his 10 year career as a defensive end, Betters became legend in his role as member of the Killer B defense. His achievements included two Superbowls appearances, one Pro Bowl appearance, and 1983 Defensive Player of the Year.

Betters fulfilled his dream in 1981 and made Whitefish his home during his off-seasons. In 1984, recognizing a need in his community, he founded the Whitefish Winter Classic and continues to organize the event over two decades later.

In February 1998, Betters was involved in a ski accident on Big Mountain that resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him quadrepeligic.

In addition to the Whitefish Winter Classic, Doug Betters has been involved with other charitable organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics, Kalipsell Regional Medical Center Foundation, and the Glacier National Park Fund.