May 21, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- You probably remember Joe Theisman as a with the Washington Redskins; or if you're older, or a fan of the Fightin' Irish, as the quarterback at Notre Dame.
On Thursday, though, he came to Knoxville for a different reason, to discuss your health and particularly an condition that hits very close to home for him and his family.
From the gridiron, to the broadcast booth, and now a spokesperson
for a potentially deadly medical condition, Joe Theisman says he
was impressed with his first visit to Knoxville.
"I would encourage you in this room to be able to talk to someone
tomorrow and say, listen, I was at Neyland stadium, had the chance to talk about abdominal aortic aneurysms, I would like you to be conscious of it."
But those at the Wolf Kaplan Center in Neyland stadium were more impressed with Theisman's current passion: "Abdominal aortic aneurysms or as we refer to it as triple A," Theisman said.
"My father was diagnosed with one and has it today," he continued. "And it's something that doesn't get a lot of notoriety, doesn't get a lot of attention but something people should be aware of. It's the third leading killer for men over 60."
Theisman now tours the country giving testimonials about awareness and early screening, referring to not just his father who suffered from it , but notables like Lucille Ball, Bob Dole, Bob Uecker and General George Patton.
"You reach a certain point in your life, you want to do everything you possibly can to be able to be physically fit to be able to do the things you want, said Theisman. "It touched me very close and I'm excited to be involved."
