The NFL Hall of Famer is encouraging men to take control of their health: "This cause is personally important," he says. Here's why.
Emmitt Smith Takes One for the Team in a New Prostate Health Campaign
Updated Oct. 02, 2024
NFL legend Emmitt Smith is a powerful figure who’s teaming up with Depend to raise awareness and funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Depend brand explains on its page for the campaign: “Men who battle prostate cancer often experience incontinence, and Depend has a lineup of products that have your leaks covered.”
Promoting awareness of prostate cancer risks, signs, prevention, and treatment is an important initiative. Prostate cancer is second most common cancer to affect men after skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
For Smith, 55, the topics of prostate cancer and preventive care hit close to home, as he shared recently with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest.
This interview has been edited for length.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Emmitt, you’re so beloved. We love seeing how you’re bringing awareness to what can be a really personal subject for men, but one that should arguably be more normalized. Why did you say yes to this collaboration with Depend?
Emmitt Smith: Teaming up with Depend was an easy “Yes!” This cause is personally important because my father had prostate cancer. It’s so common among men (one in eight men are affected by it), but it’s not something we often discuss. Depend is normalizing those conversations and encouraging men to take control of their health proactively, which really resonates with me. They are also raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help find a cure and assist those who are battling the disease.
The Healthy: What did you learn from your father’s experience with prostate cancer?
Emmitt Smith: My father always gave the best advice, but seeing him battle prostate cancer taught me more than I could have imagined. His fight really underscored the importance of taking my health and physical well-being seriously. You’re never too young to take care of your health. It’s so easy to put off preventative health checks, but those make all the difference when it comes to treatment options and outcomes.
The Healthy: Is there anything in particular you do to care for your prostate health?
Emmitt Smith: Regular testing is important, which is something I do, especially since I have a family history of the disease. I tend to visit my doctor at least twice a year. But getting checked is now easier than ever—it’s as simple as a quick blood test! And of course, just generally staying healthy with exercise (playing golf in the heat is good enough for me right now!).
The Healthy: We sometimes hear from athletes who say that when they retired, they needed to learn how to be healthy without a daily built-in training regimen and the support of nutritionists. Was this true for you? What’s your lifestyle like today?
Emmitt Smith: I ride my stationary or road bike regularly. I do a lot of my exercises indoors and do what I can to eat healthy and stay on top of my health.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: What’s some life perspective you have today that you didn’t have in your younger years?
Emmitt Smith: Gratitude. I feel so blessed to spend time with my family and have a platform to do what I love and spread awareness for things that matter to me. I appreciate my family and friends more. It’s something I’m growing into. The older you get, the more you appreciate your health day to day, too.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?
Emmitt Smith: Eating right and some intermittent fasting, incorporating massages into my routine, visits to my chiropractor. But overall, I stick to a pretty consistent regimen.
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