Ex-NFL players and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are about to “Gear Up Against Cancer,” kicking off a campaign that will see former footballers use their star power to raise awareness about screenings.
The CDC is teaming up with the National Football League Alumni Association (NFL Alumni), a retired player organization, for the colorectal cancer screening campaign. NFL Alumni has 38 local chapters across the U.S., but, initially, “Gear Up Against Cancer” will only involve former players from two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans.
For the Falcons, former running back Warrick Dunn, safety Brian Jordan and All-Pro wide receiver Terance Mathis are taking part. The Titans are represented by Hall of Famer and former All-Pro quarterback Warren Moon, All-Pro defensive end Jevon Kearse and wide receiver Kevin Dyson.
The ex-players themselves are in the demographic targeted by the campaign. The press release about the campaign noted statistics showing Black and Latino men are at higher risk of colorectal cancer, adding that regular screening is recommended from age 45 for most people. All six of the former NFL stars are Black men aged between their late 40s and late 60s.
The stars are part of a campaign that will use town halls, listening sessions, media interviews, public service announcements and social media to connect with survivors and raise awareness about colorectal cancer screening. Each of the players has participated in videos, delivering the line: “It takes a strong defense to win games, and regular screenings are the best defense to prevent or detect cancer.”
While the initiative is currently focused on Atlanta and Tennessee, the CDC and the NFL Alumni plan to expand the campaign to four more markets late next year. The NFL Alumni has engaged more than 200 retired players in similar initiatives in states across the country.