This list contains information about athletes who are diabetic, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several famous NFL players, baseball stars, and Olympians have diabetes. Some of these athletes were diagnosed with the disease when they were young, while others were diagnosed during their sports careers. One famous baseball player lost both his legs due to diabetes.
Who is the most famous athlete who is diabetic? Adam Morrison tops our list. Adam Morrison was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 13 years old. Jackie Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes after he retired from baseball in 1957. Jay Cutler was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008. He administers daily insulin shots to manage the disease.
Ron Santo hid the fact that he had diabetes for much of his career. He had both of his legs amputated in the early-2000s. Arthur Ashe had type 2 diabetes. He contracted HIV from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery and died from AIDS-related complications in 1993. Gary Hall, Jr. was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. The following year he won the 50 m freestyle at the Olympic trials.
Do you think that having diabetes makes it more difficult to be a professional athlete? Share your thoughts in the comments section.Age: 34
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Glendive, Montana, United States of America
Also Ranked
#20 on The Biggest Crybabies in Basketball
#55 on The Best Charlotte Hornets Players of All Time, Ranked
#3 on The Biggest First Round NBA Draft Pick Busts
see more on Adam MorrisonAge: Died at 53 (1919-1972)
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, United States of America
Teams: UCLA Bruins football, Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers, Kansas City Monarchs, Los Angeles Bulldogs, + more
Also Ranked
#29 on The Greatest Baseball Players of All Time
#49 on The Best Players in the Baseball Hall of Fame
#26 on The Most Beloved US Veterans
#24 on Famous Athletes Who Could Have Dominated a Second Sport
see more on Jackie RobinsonAge: 35
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Carter Township, Santa Claus, Indiana, United States of America
Teams: Chicago Bears
Also Ranked
#74 on The Greatest Chicago Bears of All Time
#6 on The Best Chicago Bears Quarterbacks of All Time
#65 on The Best Quarterbacks to Never Win a Super Bowl
#5 on Athletes Who Are Clearly No Longer Focused on the Game
see more on Jay CutlerAge: 37
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins
Also Ranked
#23 on The Greatest Jewish Players In MLB History
see more on Sam Fuld