Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization that inspires the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. Our national network of chapters is run by current football student-athletes.
Rare Disease Awareness
Featured Here: PSU uniforms promoting Uplifting Athletes
The Rare Disease Awareness program shares the platform of sport with the rare disease cause and raises it as a national priority.
Every year during spring scrimmages and regular season games, university chapters plan numerous activities to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. Some of our favorite examples include Uplifting Athletes branded footballs, helmet stickers, jersey patches, wristbands, and promotional videos!
Rare Disease Champion
The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare disease community.
An awareness campaign powered by Uplifting Athletes, the Rare Disease Champion is determined by college football fans and the rare disease community through online voting. The award is presented to the winner at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala in Atlantic City, NJ, and celebrated at Uplifting Athletes’ Young Investigator Draft in Philadelphia, PA.
Sculpted by world-renowned artist Brian Hanlon, the Rare Disease Champion trophy is in the likeness of Mark Herzlich, the former Boston College and current New York Giants linebacker who provided the inspiration for the award after overcoming a life-threatening battle with the rare disease Ewing’s sarcoma in 2009.
Austin Peay State University Offensive Coordinator Joshua Eargle is the 11th winner of the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion award. In a public on-line vote that started last month, Coach Eargle outlasted a field of finalists that included: University of Illinois offensive lineman Nick Allegretti; Stanford University linebacker Ryan Beecher; Kent State University wide receiver […] Continue Reading »
Colgate hosted its first playoff game in 15 years, and the wait was well worth it. Junior kicker Chris Puzzi set a school record with his 15th field goal of the season – drilling a 38-yard kick just inside the right upright as time expired to win it for the Raiders. Next up for the […] Continue Reading »
We are proud to share that five NFL players have chosen to shine a spotlight on the rare disease cause with their cleats. The NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats kicked off this week and Uplifting Athletes cleats will be worn in NFL games by Cameron Lynch, Riley Dixon, Malik Turner, Garry Gilliam and Zaire […] Continue Reading »
The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award, part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community. We afforded each finalist for the 11th Rare Disease Champion Award […] Continue Reading »
The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award, part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community. We afforded each finalist for the 11th Rare Disease Champion Award […] Continue Reading »
The Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award, part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), is given annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community. We afforded each finalist for the 11th Rare Disease Champion Award […] Continue Reading »
Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Malik Turner is passionate about the rare disease cause. He took part in Lift For Life as a member of the Illinois Chapter of Uplifting Athletes. Turner also supported his cause by participating in the Uplifting Athletes Reps For Rare Diseases campaign for his NFL Pro Day. It was during […] Continue Reading »
Notre Dame submitted its resume to the College Football Playoff committee unblemished after rallying from a season-high 10-point deficit on the road to edge USC and finish the regular season 12-0. This marks the third time since 1998 Notre Dame has finished the regular season 12-0. The Fighting Irish, an NCAA Independent university, is looking […] Continue Reading »
NC State senior running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. had a career day against rival North Carolina to power the Wolfpack past the Tar Heels. Gallaspy became only the third NC State running back to record five rushing touchdowns in a game and posted a career-high 129 yards as well. His fourth and fifth touchdowns came […] Continue Reading »
You could feel the electricity in the air Saturday on campus as the Princeton football team prepared to host rival Penn in the final game of the season. The Tigers were on the cusp of an undefeated season and claiming the Ivy League championship. Saturday was also a special day for the Rare Disease Community […] Continue Reading »
