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American Diabetes Month: What Every Alumnus Should Know

Nov 2, 2026

November: National Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month, a good time to focus on our shared health.

A common belief is that elite athletic training shields us from metabolic conditions. The research suggests otherwise. In a 2022 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Football Players Health Study at Harvard surveyed 2,864 former NFL players ages 25 to 59. Former players ages 25 to 29 were more likely than men of the same age in the general population to report a diabetes or high blood pressure diagnosis, and linemen tended to develop age-related conditions sooner. The differences held after the researchers accounted for body mass index and race. The findings rely on diagnoses that players reported themselves, and for older age groups the difference in diabetes was not statistically significant. The researchers said the results should encourage doctors to pay close attention even to younger former players, because a condition like diabetes can be overlooked when the patient looks like an elite athlete.

By the numbers

Over 40 million Americans, about 12% of the population, are living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). About 11 million of them have not been diagnosed. Another 115 million adults have prediabetes. Among Americans 65 and older, the rate is 28.8%. Those figures reflect 2023 data in CDC’s January 2026 report.

The playbook on diabetes types

Blood Sugar Monitor

1. Type 2 diabetes. The body makes insulin but does not use it well, which is called insulin resistance. It is the type most relevant to many alumni, and weight, activity level and family history all play a part. Talk with your doctor about your own risk. The encouraging news comes from the Diabetes Prevention Program, a large study. In people with prediabetes, losing 5% to 7% of body weight, eating better and being active reduced the chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and by 71% for people 60 and older, according to CDC’s program fact sheet. For a 200-pound person, 5% to 7% is 10 to 14 pounds.

2. Type 1 diabetes. The immune system attacks the cells that make insulin, so the body stops producing it. It can be diagnosed at any age, so keep an eye on kids, grandkids and younger athletes in your family. Common warning signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss and blurred vision. Players have described tiredness, dry mouth, constant urination and dehydration. Early testing matters.

3. Prediabetes. Blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range. It often has no obvious symptoms, which is why testing matters. Lifestyle changes can lower the chance of it progressing.

4. Gestational diabetes. A temporary form of high blood sugar during pregnancy. It matters for partners, daughters and other women in the alumni family.

Alumni voices: players who have spoken up
Diabetes does not end with the playing days, and you are not the only one dealing with it. These players have spoken publicly about their own diagnoses.

Type 2

  • Mike Golic, former Eagles defensive lineman and longtime ESPN broadcaster, was diagnosed at 42, after his playing career ended. He called it a “slap of reality.” His parents had kept his father’s diagnosis quiet, so he chose to be open about his own. He treats his care like game-week preparation.
  • Kyle Love, former NFL tackle, has spoken about his type 2 diabetes and appeared with Golic in a public awareness campaign.

Type 1

  • Kendall Simmons, former Steelers lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion, was diagnosed in 2003, at 23. He had been tired and had a dry mouth, and the team doctor tested him. He kept playing, checking his blood sugar eight to 10 times per game.
  • Jay Cutler, who played 12 NFL seasons at quarterback, has been open about living with type 1 diabetes, including during his playing career. Read his story
  • Mike Echols, former Titans cornerback, has type 1 diabetes.
  • Jake Byrne, former NFL tight end, has had type 1 since age 14. He mentors young people with diabetes and wrote First and Goal.

Today’s players

  • Mark Andrews, Ravens tight end, was diagnosed at 9. He uses an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor and has said he wants to be a role model for young people with type 1.
  • Adonai Mitchell, NFL wide receiver, was diagnosed with type 1 at 16, when his symptoms included dry mouth, constant urination and dehydration, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Disclosure: Golic and Love appeared in campaigns for LifeScan, a diabetes-product company, and Simmons is a paid ambassador for Novo Nordisk. We share their stories for awareness, and this is not an endorsement of any company or product.

Your turn.
Are you an NFL alumnus living with diabetes, or caring for someone who is? We would like to hear your story, with your permission. Send us a note from our online contacts.

Get screened: use your alumni benefits
Early detection helps prevent serious complications affecting the heart, nerves and kidneys. The NFL Player Care Foundation’s Healthy Body & Mind Screening is free and open to any former NFL player who has signed an NFL contract, and accompanying spouses are eligible for a full screening.

It includes cardiovascular and prostate screenings, blood tests and mental health resources. The NFL Alumni Association’s description lists fasting blood glucose and HbA1c among the blood tests. Screenings are held in rotating NFL cities to find upcoming events and register – NFL Player Care Foundation.

Dates:
November 20, 2026 – Clifton, NJ – 6am – 2pm
February 11-12, 2027 – Los Angeles, CA – 6am – 2pm

Chalk Talk: five plays for your next doctor’s visit

Chalk Talk

None of this replaces your own doctor’s advice.

  1. Ask about an A1C test. An A1C shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. When it is used to diagnose prediabetes or diabetes, you do not need to fast. Ask whether it makes sense for you, especially if diabetes runs in your family or you have gained weight since you stopped playing.
  2. Take the 60-second risk test. The ADA’s free Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test takes about a minute.
  3. Bring your football history. List old injuries, surgeries and the joints that bother you most.
  4. Move in ways your joints can handle. Walking, swimming, cycling and water exercise are easier on knees, hips and spine than running or jumping. Start small and check with your doctor first if pain is limiting you.
  5. Eat for your joints and your blood sugar. Build meals around vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, fish and nuts, and cut back on sugary drinks and highly processed snacks.
  6. Resources for alumni: NFL Alumni Health Resources

Highlights from the November 2026 Newsletter: