NFL ALUMNI HEALTH: THE MAY HUDDLE
Written by Carolé Dacey-Young • Published May 5, 2026
Health isn’t just part of the conversation right now — it’s leading it.
From the national spotlight of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to the momentum building across our community, one thing is clear: the next chapter of the game is about how we live.
As we move into May — Stroke Awareness Month — we’re bringing you the tools, stories, and opportunities that can help protect you and those you love.
Whether you’re a former player, a family member, or part of our extended brotherhood and sisterhood — you’re in this huddle with us.
Draft Week Impact: Health Lives Here
During Draft Week, NFL Alumni Health transformed Pittsburgh into a national platform for awareness through its Health Lives Here campaign in partnership with Tollo Health.
From community activations across the city to national media moments, the initiative reached thousands — delivering education, resources, and a clear call to action: be proactive.
Rod Woodson Leads the Charge
Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh legend Rod Woodson led the charge as NFL Alumni Health Ambassador, amplifying the message across national platforms: Morning in America (NewsNation), ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike, The Rich Eisen Show, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and Good Morning Football.
From interviews to engaging with fans at Point State Park, he delivered one message with urgency and conviction:
“Your health is your legacy – and it’s worth protecting.”
May is Stroke Awareness Month
Know the Signs. Protect Your Future.
Stroke doesn’t wait for age. And it doesn’t care how strong you were on the field. For former players, the risk is real — and often higher than expected. The good news? Up to 80% of strokes are preventable.
The difference between life-changing damage and walking away can come down to one thing: recognition — and fast action.
Playing Defense: Tedy Bruschi’s Toughest Opponent
In February 2005, Tedy Bruschi was at the peak of his career — fresh off his third Super Bowl ring and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
At just 31, he woke with a crushing headache, numbness down his left side, and vision loss.
Like so many elite athletes trained to push through pain, he tried to shake it off.
What he experienced in that moment is exactly what B.E. F.A.S.T. is designed to catch — and what too many players miss because they’re conditioned to play through it.
Hours later, he learned he had suffered an ischemic stroke caused by a congenital heart defect he never knew he had.
Ma href=”https://nflalumnihealth.org/newsletter/may-2026/your-playbook-lifes-essential-8/”>Your Playbook: Life’s Essential 8
If stroke is the opponent, this is your defensive scheme. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 gives you a proven game plan to reduce your risk:
- Manage blood pressure
- Stay active
- Eat smart
- Prioritize sleep
- Control cholesterol and blood sugar
- Avoid tobacco
- Maintain a healthy weight
If you don’t know them — you’re playing blind.
Heart Health Innovation: Heartflow GAMEFILM Registry
You studied film your entire career to stay one step ahead of the opponent. Heartflow is using the same mindset — only now, the opponent is heart disease.
Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death worldwide and is often called the “silent killer” because it can progress for years without clear symptoms. For former professional football players, the stakes are even higher: up to 1 in 3 die from heart disease, compared to 1 in 5 in the general population. We know the risk is elevated — but we still don’t fully understand why. That’s what the GAMEFILM Registry is designed to change.
Player Care Foundation: Next Stop Baltimore
Following a successful screening event in Pittsburgh, the NFL Player Care Foundation heads to:
Upcoming Screening: Baltimore
Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
These Healthy Body & Mind Screenings provide up to $10,000 in comprehensive medical evaluations at no cost, including:
- Cardiovascular testing
- Prostate screenings
- Mental health resources
- Sleep health assessments
These screenings save lives.
If you’re eligible, do not miss your opportunity. For Baltimore registration information, click here.
Across the country, we continue connecting players to cutting‑edge research, expanding access to life‑changing screenings, and delivering tools that empower you to take control.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Stroke doesn’t.
Stay engaged. Get screened. Know your numbers.
Talk to your family. Make sure they know the signs.
Because the strongest teams don’t just show up on game day — they protect each other for life.
In strength and service,
The NFL Alumni Health Team
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This is more than a newsletter — it’s your monthly huddle dedicated to longevity, legacy, and looking out for one another.
