Art’s football journey began at the University of Kentucky, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top defensive players. In 1977, he led the Wildcats to a 10-1 record and a No. 6 national ranking. His dominance earned him All-American honors, and he was selected as the second overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Over his 12-year career—ten of which were spent with the Chiefs and the last two with the Buffalo Bills—Still became a cornerstone of one of the league’s most feared defensive lines. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro, Still amassed 80 sacks, 74 of which came with the Chiefs, ranking him sixth in franchise history.

In recognition of his contributions, Art was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2009. His legacy in the NFL is secure, and he remains a beloved figure in Chiefs Kingdom. But the accolades and football fame were only the beginning of Art Still’s story.

Post-NFL Life: Business, Family, and Health 
After retiring in 1988, Art transitioned to life off the field, focusing on business ventures and charitable work. However, like many former athletes, retirement brought new challenges. The physical toll of football—aches, pains, and surgeries—became part of his everyday life. For years, Art dismissed these symptoms as natural consequences of his playing days.

“I worked out regularly. I stayed in shape. I ate well. I thought I was doing everything right,” Art recalls. But as time passed, symptoms like neuropathy, swollen feet, and back pain persisted. He attributed them to aging and past injuries.

However, things were about to take a drastic turn.

The First Signs: A Routine Check-Up Turns into a Wake-Up Call
In 2018, Art participated in a routine health screening at Tulane University through the NFL Player Care Foundation, a program many retired players use to assess their post-NFL health. Doctors had previously expressed concerns about his heart health, but Art, always optimistic, believed he could manage the situation through lifestyle changes.

“I didn’t think anything was seriously wrong,” he recalls. “I was active, exercising regularly, and figured I could get my heart back in shape.”

Still’s diagnosis came in late 2023 after another round of screening at Tulane. Despite experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath, he attributed these symptoms to aging. But doctors couldn’t explain why he had such symptoms despite his strong physical condition.

When they connected his family’s health history, there was an “aha” moment—a need for genetic testing. The results revealed that Art had hATTR amyloidosis, a hereditary condition in which abnormal proteins accumulate in organs, particularly the heart.

Art’s wife, Liz, remembers the gravity of the moment when doctors pulled her aside:

“You need to tell him the doctor is serious because your husband is going to die.”

The message was clear—this was more serious than they had realized.

Art initially joked about blaming his family for the delayed diagnosis, but he soon realized the disease was beyond anyone’s control. “I would have had to dig up my mother and blame her, and she’d have to dig up her mother…” he laughed, adding, “We don’t have control over it, just what we do with it.”

A Hard Truth: Living with Amyloidosis
For Art, learning about his diagnosis was a tough pill to swallow. “I didn’t know what amyloidosis was,” he says. “I thought I just had heart issues, but I wasn’t getting any answers. After all these years of taking care of myself, I never saw this coming.”

Amyloidosis is rare and often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms mimic common conditions like carpal tunnel, trigger finger, torn bicep, stenosis of the spine (lower back problems), and more. But for Art, the diagnosis sparked a mission to raise awareness.

“I knew I had to speak out. If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. We need to talk about this and make sure more people get tested before it’s too late.”

The ‘Family Secret’: Uncovering a Genetic Link
As Art delved deeper into learning about amyloidosis, he uncovered a surprising family connection. A distant relative revealed a genetic predisposition to hATTR amyloidosis, which had been present in his family for generations, though many had never been diagnosed.

“I realized that many people in my family had symptoms similar to mine,” Art says. “But they didn’t know about amyloidosis because it’s so rare and often misdiagnosed.”

Art’s older brother, Sparky, had undergone a heart transplant 10 years before Art himself ever took a genetic test. “Sparky had exhibited symptoms of amyloidosis prior to his transplant. Doctors couldn’t figure out why his heart was failing,” Art recalls. “They just called it idiopathic.”

Tragically, Sparky’s son (Art’s nephew) passed away four years ago. The young man had both sickle cell disease and the amyloidosis gene. Before his death, he took a genetic test, seeking a diagnosis for Marfan syndrome, but the results revealed amyloidosis instead. However, the family dismissed the diagnosis because they were unfamiliar with amyloidosis, and by that point, Sparky had already undergone a heart transplant. The connection between the two was never made. It wasn’t until Art did his own genetic testing and received a positive result for hATTR amyloidosis that he discovered his brother, Sparky, also carried the gene. Now, Sparky is receiving treatment for the condition.

Art’s younger brother had a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted two years ago, and he is now on the transplant list. One of Art’s older sisters, Francina, has been struggling with health issues for the past 20 years without a diagnosis. Recently, after reading an article about Art’s journey, Francina reached out to him. “I read the complete article, and it was very interesting and informative,” she texted. “I have all the symptoms, but I personally don’t want to see any more doctors. They can’t help me—what’s done is done. But if you can get help at earlier stages, this would be a great deterrent for the more progressive state with age.” Sadly, Art notes, many others he’s spoken to feel the same way.

This revelation underscored the importance of genetic testing, as many may not show symptoms until significant organ damage occurs. “When I found out about amyloidosis, I contacted my family and reached out to the guys I played with in the NFL,” Art says. “I know they have similar issues—it might stem from this.”

4% of Black Americans have a mutation on the V122i gene that causes cardiac amyloidosis. Chart from Blackdoctor.com

 

Raising Awareness: Art’s New Mission
Art’s diagnosis was a shock, but it also ignited a new purpose. “Studies show that 1 in 25 African Americans are genetically predisposed to amyloidosis,” Art explains. “That’s a huge number, yet so many people don’t know about it because the disease is so rare.”

His advocacy work is centered on spreading the word about the importance of early detection and genetic testing. By sharing his story, Art hopes to help others avoid the struggles he faced when his diagnosis was delayed.

The Fight for a Cure: Art’s Work with the Amyloidosis Army
Art didn’t just accept his diagnosis; he turned it into a mission. His work with the Amyloidosis Army has been instrumental in raising awareness, educating medical professionals, and promoting early diagnosis through genetic testing.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to get the treatment I need, but not everyone is as lucky,” Art says. “That’s why I’m so passionate about this. The more we talk about it, the more lives we can save.”

Affected by Amyloidosis

NBA legend and Nike endorser Michael Jordan has given $1 million to Providence Health & Services as part of the creation of the Howard “H” White Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis.

• Mike Millen – Former NFL linebacker who won four Super Bowls with the Raiders, 49ers, and Washington. Diagnosed with amyloidosis, he underwent a heart transplant in 2018.
• Howard “H” White – Former college basketball player and longtime Nike executive who has battled amyloidosis and works to raise awareness.
• Nate “Tiny” Archibald – NBA Hall of Famer, diagnosed with amyloidosis and underwent a heart transplant.
• Harold Baines – MLB Hall of Famer, coach, and ambassador for the White Sox organization, diagnosed with amyloidosis and underwent heart and kidney transplant.

Legacy Beyond Football
Art Still’s legacy is no longer defined only by his football achievements. Through his advocacy for amyloidosis awareness, Art has become a leader in the fight against a rare and often overlooked disease. His work is a powerful reminder that the strongest battles are often those fought off the field, and that every victory counts, whether it’s on the gridiron or in the fight for better health.

“Early diagnosis is everything—and for many, it’s the difference between living with a manageable disease and facing life-threatening organ failure,” Art says. “If my story can help someone else, it’s all worth it. We’re in this together, and we can make a difference.”

The Connection Between Football and Amyloidosis

Raising awareness of ATTR amyloidosis helps Art Still cope with his own diagnosis of the rare cardiac condition.

One of the most important aspects of Art’s advocacy is the connection between amyloidosis and the NFL community. While amyloidosis isn’t directly caused by football, the toll the game takes on players’ bodies can contribute to a heightened risk for a range of health issues. As Art points out, the genetic link to hATTR amyloidosis is particularly prevalent in African Americans, a community that remains significantly underdiagnosed and underserved when it comes to early testing.

“Studies show that 1 in 25 African Americans are genetically predisposed to amyloidosis,” Art shares. “That’s a big number. Yet so many don’t know about it because the disease is so rare. The symptoms are often brushed off as normal, and the disease is misdiagnosed as something else. This needs to change.”

What You Can Do:

1. Get Screened: Ask your doctor about genetic testing for hATTR amyloidosis, particularly if you have a family history of heart disease or experience unexplained symptoms.
2. Know the Signs: Common symptoms of amyloidosis include fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats (like AFib), and swelling in the legs or abdomen. These symptoms can often be mistaken for heart failure or other common issues.
3. Talk to the Right Doctor: If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see a cardiologist or a physician who specializes in rare diseases. Make sure they are familiar with amyloidosis and the tests needed for diagnosis.
4. Get Involved: Support the Amyloidosis Army in their mission to raise awareness and push for more research. Share your story and encourage others to get checked.

Looking Ahead: Art’s Continued Fight for Awareness
As Art Still continues his fight against amyloidosis, his story serves as a testament to resilience, both on and off the field. His legacy is not just built on his football accomplishments but also on his commitment to helping others face this rare disease.

“If my story can help someone else, it’s all worth it,” Art says. “We’re in this together, and we can make a difference. But it starts with talking about it.”