Something that continues to amaze me about type 1 diabetics is simply discovering that they have type 1 diabetes. It’s a disease that doesn’t seem to show, but also a 24/7 job. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I always hear Mad-Eye Moody saying, “Constant Vigilance!” when I think about the unending effort monitoring type 1 diabetes requires. It sounds exhausting, and I know I can’t imagine how exhausting it actually is.
So when I learn someone has type 1, I’m speechless. It feels like a gear in my brain has been jammed, while I very slowly put some pieces together. First, I’m hit with the level of effort managing it requires; then I think about what they’ve accomplished; then I think about what they’ve accomplished while managing diabetes. Then my brain starts un-jamming and I’m stunned because they’ve done everything with such strength and humility. And finally, I’m left thinking, “Of course” as in, “Of course I wouldn’t know.” This is their everyday. They don’t have a choice. They decided a long time ago diabetes wouldn’t define them so it doesn’t. It’s why a disease that never seems to show actually doesn’t show; because diabetes never quits, neither do they.
So today being Super Bowl Sunday, I wondered which football players and athletes in general have type 1 diabetes. During my search, I had multiple “of course” moments. One of those occurred after seeing Jay Cutler’s name pop up. As a Chicago-area native, I’m no newbie to Cutler. He was a hot topic in local news and general chatter during his time with the Bears, but just today I learned he has type 1. So take a look below and please share any #Type1Tough athletes in your lives with me!
#Type1Tough Athletes
Basketball
· Chris Dudley
· Adam Morrison
Baseball
· Adam Duvall
· Ty Cobb
· Sam Fuld
· Bill Gullickson
· Dave Hollins
· Jim “Catfish” Hunter
· Jason Johnson
· Brandon Morrow
· Ron Santo
Football
· Mark Andrews
· Kenny Duckett
· Mike Echols
· Elliott Fry
· Jonathan Hayes
· Jay Leeuwenburg
· Henry Mondeaux
· Kendall Simmons
· Wade Wilson
Hockey
· Bobby Clarke
· Nick Boynton
· Max Domi
· Darren Eliot
· Luke Kunin
Golf
· Kelli Kuehne
· Michelle McGann
· Scott Verplank
Mountain Climbing
· Will Cross
Running
· Robin Arzon
· Missy Foy
Skiing
· Kris Freeman
· Chuck Heidenreich
Soccer
· José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias (aka Nacho)
Swimming
· Gary Hall
Tennis
· Ham Richardson
· JC Aragone