NFL Players Like Terrell Davis Who Have Been Affected By Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It damages the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This damage slows down or blocks messages between the brain and body, leading to symptoms like numbness, weakness, fatigue, vision problems, mobility issues, pain and more. There is currently no cure for MS, but treatment can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

MS is fairly common, affecting around 1 million people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide. It typically first develops between the ages of 20 and 50 and is more common in women than men. The cause is still not fully understood, but research suggests a combination of genetic, environmental and infectious factors may trigger MS in those predisposed to the disease.

NFL Players Diagnosed with MS

Most people associate the NFL with peak athletic performance, so it may come as a surprise that a number of professional football players have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during or after their careers. Here are some of the most notable NFL players who have publicly shared their experiences living with MS:

Terrell Davis

Terrell Davis is a former running back who played his entire NFL career for the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001. He was drafted in the 6th round but went on to become one of the greatest running backs in league history. Davis was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time Offensive Player of the Year and two-time Super Bowl champion. He was also named MVP of Super Bowl XXXII.

After retiring from football, Davis began experiencing blurred vision and numbness in his toes. He was diagnosed with MS in 2007 at the age of 35. He believes some concussions he suffered during his playing career may have contributed to developing the disease. Davis has managed his MS with medication and lifestyle changes. He has partnered with biotechnology company Biogen to raise awareness about MS.

Torry Holt

Torry Holt played wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams from 1999 to 2008 and finished his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV and retired with several franchise records. Holt was diagnosed with MS in 2016 at the age of 40 after going to the doctor for knee problems.

Holt has become an advocate for MS awareness and education. He provides updates on living with the disease as a former professional athlete and helps connect others affected by MS. Holt believes a positive mindset and proactive approach are important in managing MS.

Tim Barnett

Tim Barnett was an offensive guard for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1979 to 1986. He started experiencing vision problems in one eye in the 1990s which led to an MS diagnosis in 1996 at the age of 37. Barnett required a cane to walk within five years as the disease progressed.

Barnett became legally blind from MS but remained positive and became involved with raising funds for MS research. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 54 due to complications from multiple sclerosis.

NFL Players Supporting MS Awareness

In addition to former players diagnosed with MS, many other NFL players have become involved in efforts to raise awareness and funds to battle the disease. Here are a few of note:

Tom Brady

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has been a long-time supporter of Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to ending social isolation for those with intellectual disabilities and autism. His work with Best Buddies has also extended support to multiple sclerosis – the organization's founder Anthony Shriver lives with MS.

Brady has helped raise over $46 million dollars for Best Buddies and makes annual donations from his own charitable foundation. The star QB has said Anthony Shriver is an inspiration to him in fighting adversity from MS.

Eli Manning

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has actively supported MS research for years in honor of his high school teammate Brandie Roanhouse, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011. Manning hosts annual celebrity bartending events that have raised over $1 million for the Ronald S. Lauder Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center at the University of Michigan.

Manning has said his friendship and care for Brandie motivated him to join the cause against MS. His contributions are helping provide care for MS patients and fuel new research on the disease.

Clay Matthews III

Long-time Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III has been affected by MS through his grandfather who battled the disease. Matthews has joined the Race to Erase MS gala which raises funds for the Center Without Walls program supporting MS research.

Matthews said he participates to honor his grandfather and hopes continued focus on MS will someday lead to a cure. Active NFL players like Matthews bring valuable visibility to the impact of multiple sclerosis.

The Importance of Sharing MS Stories

One of the key challenges with multiple sclerosis is that symptoms are largely invisible in many patients. Fatigue, numbness, tingling and pain may not be noticeable to an outside observer. This can lead to misunderstandings from friends, family and colleagues about how MS significantly impacts daily life.

When celebrities and athletes share their personal MS stories, it helps validate the real struggle so many patients face. High profile cases also tend to increase awareness and attention on the disease from both the general public and medical community. Continued focus and funding for research is vital to find better MS treatments and hopefully one day a definitive cure.

The NFL players who have gone public with their multiple sclerosis deserve enormous credit. Their courage and vulnerability shines a positive light on the obstacles MS presents even to elite athletes. It helps remove stigmas around chronic autoimmune diseases and encourages an environment of openness and compassion.

Listening to personal stories from all walks of life about battling MS can provide inspiration, community and hope. For multiple sclerosis patients and their loved ones, knowing you are not alone makes an enormous difference in staying positive and proactive. Increased awareness and support from both celebrities and the general public will play a key role in advancing research toward life-changing breakthroughs for MS.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.