Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews Inspires Young Athletes by Hosting Football Camp Dedicated to Empowering Kids Living with Diabetes Nationwide
In a sports world often defined by stats, contracts, and game-day performances, sometimes the most powerful moments come far away from stadium lights. That’s exactly what unfolded recently when Baltimore Ravens star tight end Mark Andrews hosted a football camp unlike any other — one built not just on athletic drills and touchdown celebrations, but on connection, courage, and the shared experience of living with Type 1 diabetes.
Andrews, a Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s most dynamic tight ends, has long been open about his own journey with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at the age of nine, he’s never allowed the condition to define or limit him. Now, as an established NFL star, he’s using his platform to inspire and educate, showing young athletes facing the same challenges that nothing—not even a chronic illness—can stop them from chasing their dreams.
The recent camp, held in Baltimore and attended by dozens of children living with diabetes, wasn’t just another offseason event. It was a statement, a mission, and a message of hope rolled into one unforgettable day.
From the moment participants arrived, it was clear this was more than just football. Yes, there were drills. Yes, there were coaches and cones and 40-yard sprints. But woven into the structure of the camp was a deeper focus: teaching these young athletes how to manage their condition on and off the field, to gain confidence in themselves, and to see firsthand what’s possible when you embrace your circumstances instead of being defined by them.
For Andrews, the connection was personal and immediate. He didn’t show up just to make an appearance. He was in the trenches with the kids — running routes, offering advice, checking glucose monitors, and sitting down to talk about the hard stuff: the injections, the planning, the lows and highs, both emotional and physical.
“I remember being a kid and wondering if this was going to hold me back,” Andrews told reporters. “There were moments of doubt, of feeling different. But I also remember the people who encouraged me and told me I could still be great. I want to be that person for these kids.”
His presence alone spoke volumes. For a child living with diabetes, seeing a world-class athlete not just surviving but thriving with the same condition is incredibly powerful. But Andrews went further, sharing stories from his own childhood, his high school and college days, and the grind of the NFL — all while managing his glucose levels, monitoring his health, and proving doubters wrong.
He also brought in medical professionals and diabetes specialists to speak with the young athletes, ensuring that every camper left not only with new skills but also with tools to better handle their daily health challenges. Parents were included in the conversation too, participating in workshops and discussions about how to support their kids without making them feel limited or defined by their condition.
There were tears, too. One parent broke down while thanking Andrews, saying that her son had been reluctant to participate in sports due to his diagnosis — until he saw Mark Andrews playing on Sundays.
“That’s the impact I want to have,” Andrews said. “If even one kid walks out of here today feeling stronger, more confident, or more hopeful, it’s worth everything.”
The camp also emphasized community. Living with a chronic illness can be isolating, especially for children who feel different from their peers. At Andrews’ camp, they weren’t different. They were teammates. They were family. They shared stories, compared pumps and meters, and celebrated each other’s victories, no matter how small.
The kids learned that they weren’t alone. That there are others who check their blood sugar during practice, who carry insulin pumps under their jerseys, who sometimes feel scared or frustrated — but push through anyway.
Andrews himself is meticulous about his health during games. He wears a glucose monitor and works closely with Ravens trainers to ensure that he can perform at the highest level while keeping his condition under control. He’s talked before about how he checks his blood sugar at halftime, how he balances his nutrition and activity, and how he never uses diabetes as an excuse.
That message — of ownership, preparation, and resilience — was central to the camp’s purpose.
“Diabetes doesn’t control you,” Andrews told the group. “You control it. It’s a part of your life, not the whole thing. And you can do incredible things with it — just look around.”
It’s easy to forget sometimes that these athletes we admire are real people with real struggles. Andrews is a walking reminder that greatness often comes with adversity, and how you respond to that adversity defines your legacy far more than the stats in a box score.
Beyond football, Andrews has become a vocal advocate for diabetes awareness. He’s partnered with organizations to promote education, has spoken at schools and events, and frequently uses his platform to highlight stories of others living with the disease. The camp is just the latest step in what is clearly a long-term commitment to supporting the diabetes community.
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Parents, kids, and medical professionals alike praised the event for its inclusivity, positivity, and impact. Several families traveled from out of state just to give their children the chance to meet Andrews and participate in something that affirmed their value and strength.
The Ravens organization also stood behind their star tight end. Teammates shared posts and messages of support, and local Ravens staff assisted with the logistics, showing that this wasn’t just Mark Andrews the individual — it was an extension of the team’s commitment to the community.
At the end of the camp, each participant received more than just a t-shirt or photo. They left with a new sense of identity — not as kids burdened by a diagnosis, but as athletes, warriors, and part of something bigger.
For Andrews, it’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m blessed to do what I love and to play this game at the highest level,” he said. “But I also know I’ve been given a platform for a reason. If my story can help these kids, if I can show them that they don’t have to be afraid of their future, that’s the most important thing I can do.”
As the NFL season looms closer, Andrews will no doubt return to his routine — early practices, game film, weight training, and the weekly grind that comes with chasing a championship. But what he gave this group of young athletes will last long beyond this offseason.
He gave them belief. He gave them a path. And he gave them a reason to keep chasing their dreams, no matter what obstacles they face.
Because as Mark Andrews has proven, you can live with diabetes — and still live like a champion.
