LOOMIS — Fred Biletnikoff beamed as the girls from the substance abuse home named for his slain daughter spoke of how Tracey's Place of Hope has helped them.
Sixteen years ago, Biletnikoff's 20-year-old daughter Tracey had cleaned herself up from drug dependence and was helping teens recover when she was killed by an addict she was trying to kick back into rehab.
The NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver turned his grief into helping build a tribute to Tracey that will help other teenage girls shake their drug habits and get a needed second chance.
After years of fundraising and planning, the Biletnikoff Foundation held a groundbreaking Thursday on the renovated Tracey's Place.