Press Release
NFL Commits $500,000 to Champion Insights to Investigate Why Athletes, Veterans, and First Responders Face Higher ALS Risk
October 20, 2026
NEW ORLEANS, October 20, 2026 ⎯ Answer ALS announced that the National Football League (NFL) has committed $500,000 to Champion Insights, a nationwide research study investigating why elite athletes, military veterans, and first responders develop ALS at higher rates than the general public. The study aims to uncover genetic and biological factors that may help explain this increased risk and ultimately lead to new treatments and strategies to prevent ALS.
The commitment was announced October 5 on Good Morning America during an interview with Answer ALS founder Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints player and leading ALS advocate. Gleason, diagnosed with ALS in 2011, was the study's first participant.
On the broadcast, Gleason emphasized the importance of moving beyond speculation to understand the underlying causes of ALS.
“That is not a rumor. It is a fact we have to face with honesty and urgency. I do not spend time on speculation. I spend it asking why. That is the purpose of Champion Insights. We believe the answers will be found in our biology and the traits that come with high-performance lives,” Gleason said.
Steve Gleason, sporting a “NOLA” heart sticker on his forehead, smiles as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell leans in to greet him at the Caesars Superdome during Domecoming, Oct. 5, 2026. (David Grunfeld / The Times-Picayune)
​​“The NFL has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the ALS community, and we are incredibly grateful for that support,” said Clare Durrett, Managing Director of Answer ALS. “What makes this investment especially meaningful is the NFL's willingness to help us look deeper into the genetic and biological factors that may contribute to increased ALS risk. We want to understand not just who is more vulnerable, but why. Those answers could be important for everyone facing this disease, and ultimately help us find ways to treat and prevent ALS.”
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People in these high-intensity professions may face up to twice the risk of ALS compared with the general population. Champion Insights, launched earlier this year, is enrolling up to 500 participants through remote participation, including in-home blood collection and comprehensive surveys examining genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and other potential contributing factors.
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The study builds on the established research infrastructure of Answer ALS and the ALS Therapy Development Institute's ARC study, applying comprehensive biological and clinical data collection methods to populations with a documented higher risk of ALS. By examining these groups more closely, researchers hope to uncover biological mechanisms that may be relevant to ALS across the broader population.
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“As an aviator, we trained to perform at our best, physically, mentally, and professionally,” said Matt Bellina, retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and person living with ALS. “That pursuit of excellence is something we take pride in. But science is beginning to explore whether some of the same biological traits that drive high performance may also contribute to increased ALS risk. Champion Insights is asking why, and those answers could benefit everyone facing this disease. We owe it to every warrior, competitor, and family impacted by ALS to keep searching.”
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Champion Insights is led by Answer ALS and Augie's Quest to Cure ALS, with research conducted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute and guidance from the Champion Insights Advisory Board, which includes leading experts in ALS research. The study's ultimate goal is to translate discoveries about increased risk into a better understanding of ALS biology, paving the way for more targeted treatments and strategies to prevent the disease for everyone.
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For more information about Champion Insights participation eligibility or to enroll, please visit the Champion Insights website or contact Enroll@ChampionInsights.org.
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​Media can access the Champion Insights overview video and review the full digital media kit, including b-roll, images, and background materials, at the Champion Insights media resources page.
About Answer ALS
Answer ALS is one of the most comprehensive ALS research consortia in history, producing more ALS data and biological samples than had ever been amassed, while openly sharing with the global research community, through the Neuromine data repository. These data and samples are used to investigate the unique pathways of each variation of ALS and begin to develop and test the right treatments or cures. Answer ALS is an unprecedented approach to understanding and defeating the disease.
Headquartered in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., Answer ALS stands at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate the disease, supported by research partners and advocates worldwide.
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For more information, visit us at answerals.org, LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
About ALS Therapy Development Institute
The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is the world’s first and largest nonprofit biotech dedicated solely to discovering and developing effective treatments for ALS. Based in Watertown, Massachusetts, ALS TDI runs a state-of-the-art research center and leads the ALS Research Collaborative (ARC)—one of the most comprehensive and longest-running natural history studies in ALS. Through innovative, patient-driven science, ALS TDI is working to end ALS for everyone affected by this devastating disease.
About Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS
Founded by Augie Nieto, Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is the unwavering force driving breakthroughs in ALS research, defying limitations, and empowering hope for a future without this devastating disease. We are dedicated to funding innovative research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure, while advancing the field and translating scientific knowledge into real-world solutions. For more information, visit us at augiesquest.org, LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
CONTACTS:
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Kissy Black | Answer ALS | kblack@answerals.org
Roxan Triolo Olivas | Lotos Nile | roxan@lotosnile.com