Muma Movement Inspiring Next Generation of Athletes

One year from now, Austin Blaske could be Bill Belichick’s first college player drafted by an NFL team. However, the North Carolina center won’t be the first draft pick with Type-1 diabetes.

If he hasn’t already, Blaske may want to track down Chad Muma. The Jacksonville linebacker has battled a similar road. During draft weekend three years ago, the Jaguars took Muma in the third round, 70th overall. He’s missed one game in his first three NFL seasons – with an ankle injury as a rookie.

Like Blaske, doctors diagnosed Muma with the disease in middle school.

“It was always a dream of mine to play football professionally,” Muma told Mat Issa in a Forbes feature earlier this month. “But when I was first diagnosed, my whole world came to a halt. I thought that my dream was over.

“When I got home, I started looking up people in the NFL who were also Type 1 diabetics, and that gave me some hope.”

Now Muma is providing hope and inspiration to plenty of others. So is Ravens All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews and Chiefs tight end Noah Gray. Former quarterback Jay Cutler also played with the condition.

According to Issa, 13 known players in league history have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Players need to manage the disease by closely monitoring blood glucose through their diets and conditioning. They also need to watch for swings in blood pressure, especially when pushed to maximum cardio limits during games. Insulin therapy is also mandatory.