You Think You Know Athletes?Are you the "Sports Guy" on your trivia team? Welcome to your new secret weapons: lists of fascinating facts and obscure info you need to know yesterday.
Do you know which popular professional athletes have epilepsy? Several famous NFL players, MLB stars, and Olympians have epilepsy. Some of these athletes were diagnosed when they were children, while others were diagnosed as adults. One famous football player grew out of his epilepsy, but now his son suffers from the disorder.
Who is the most famous athlete with epilepsy? Florence Griffith Joyner tops our list. Florence Griffith Joyner suffered from epileptic seizures throughout the 1990s. She died from suffocation during a severe seizure on Sept. 21, 1998. Dai Greene has epilepsy. He says, "As long as you’re focused and dedicated – especially in a sport – there’s no reason it should dictate your life.”
Tiki Barber suffered from epileptic seizures until the age of five. His son A.J. has also had about 10 seizures. Jonty Rhodes was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child. He says, "Most people with epilepsy live a very normal life and should not be discriminated against either socially or in the work place." Marion Clignet was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 22 years old.
Do you think that it would be difficult to be a professional athlete with epilepsy? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Bobby Jones earned Philadelphia’s Most Courageous Athlete Award in 1983 due to triumphing over epilepsy, asthma and a heart condition to play sports professionally.
Age: 71
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Charlotte, North Carolina
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Denver Nuggets