NFL long snapper and T1D Champion Blake Ferguson was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft and is currently in his second season. He was ranked No.1 in the nation for both his junior and senior high school seasons, before committing to Louisiana State University (LSU). Throughout his college football career with the Tigers, he was the first long-snapper in LSU history to be named a permanent team captain and won the David Binn Award for the nation’s best long- snapper.
Never Letting T1D Stand in His Way
Diagnosed at the age of 13, Blake has never allowed type 1 diabetes (T1D) to hinder his dreams of playing football professionally.
“My mom loves to tell the story all the time … the moment that I was diagnosed back in 2011,” Blake said. “As we’re headed to the hospital from the doctor’s office, she caught me looking at my phone at famous athletes with type 1 diabetes because I wanted to know that I could achieve playing football at the highest level with this disease.”
Determined to pursue his goals, Blake looked up to Jay Cutler and other T1D role models for inspiration and reassurance that he too could achieve playing football at the highest level with T1D. Now he uses his platform to inspire others living with the disease that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
It’s a Family Affair
Long-snapping is a family affair and so is the fight against T1D. Blake and his family have been long-time supporters of Breakthrough T1D since he was diagnosed. From donning custom-designed cleats on the field during the NFL “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign, to advocating on Capitol Hill and mentoring youth – Blake and his older brother NFL Buffalo Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson are committed to bringing greater awareness to T1D, inspiring the community, and fundraising for T1D research.
“I’m thankful to have this platform to spread awareness, inspire, and be a voice for others who are living with this disease,” said Blake.
Joining Efforts with Blake
This NFL season, Blake is encouraging football fans and beyond to join him in raising awareness and fundraising for T1D research throughout NDAM, Giving Tuesday and the NFL 2021 My Cause My Cleats Campaign. Please visit his fundraising site to learn more and support T1D research to bring life-saving treatments, technology, and cures.
