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.
Uplifting Athletes is pleased to announce global biotechnology leader CSL Behring will return as the title sponsor in 2019 for the second annual Young Investigator Draft on March 9th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Young Investigator Draft, tying the theme of the NFL Draft and Rare Disease Research together, is the result of […] Continue Reading »
For the second time in three years the Clemson Tigers won the college football National Championship by beating Alabama. The Tigers finished the season 15-0 and became the first modern-era team to post a 15-win season. Clemson used a monster game from true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence, three touchdowns from running back Travis Etienne and […] Continue Reading »
May your days be filled with Peace, Hope and Joy this Holiday Season! On behalf of the 30 million Americans that comprise the Rare Disease Community, our staff and team of college football student-athletes thank you for your loyalty and support in 2018! It has been a memorable year and we thank you for helping […] Continue Reading »
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 »
