Nearly 8 million Americans suffer from gout, a painful form of arthritis with attacks (or flares) that can come on suddenly and cause pain that can last for days. One of those millions is Emmitt Smith.
You have probably seen Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith performing under pressure on the football field or on the Dancing With The Stars stage. Today Emmitt is still under pressure, but he’s traded the locker room for the board room. Whether he’s meeting with clients or working to advance the mission of the charities he supports, Emmitt leads a busy life. But he still has to make time to take care of his health and gout.
Over the past year, Emmitt has learned a lot about his gout and wants to continue sharing his story with others who live with the disease, in hopes that his experience will inspire them to learn more and take action. That’s been Emmitt’s goal in partnering with Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. on a gout management and treatment education campaign — to encourage people to have a meaningful conversation with their doctor about managing the painful symptoms of gout and the underlying chronic condition.
Facts About Gout: Did you know…
• The root cause of gout is hyperuricemia, a buildup of uric acid in the blood. If you have gout, high uric acid can form crystals in your joints. When this happens, it can lead to inflammation that causes extremely painful gout attacks — also known as gout flares.
• Gout flares happen most often in the big toe, but they can also occur in other parts of the body and can last from hours to weeks.
• Gout is a chronic, progressive disease, which means it may get worse over time.
• Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men.
Bio (via EmmittSmith.com)
Emmitt Smith
President & CEO – Emmitt Smith Enterprises
A respected entrepreneur, a sought-after speaker, bestselling author and one of the most valuable personal brands in the sports-entertainment field — these are just a few of the ways to describe Emmitt Smith. As President & CEO of Emmitt Smith Enterprises, Inc., Smith leads a team of talented individuals who oversee the company’s many ventures — including Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, the marketing and management of the Emmitt Smith brand, and the company’s two core businesses, EJ Smith Construction and E Smith Legacy, a real estate company.
Smith’s vision for his companies is best summed up in Emmitt Smith Enterprises core purpose statement, “Building Bridges to Open Doors.” That means quite literally whether the company is building bridges via its construction arm — already recognized as one of the leading African-American owned bridge builders in Texas — or opening doors for the less fortunate through its many philanthropic endeavors, Emmitt Smith Enterprises has a passion for making a difference.
Smith first rose to prominence via an illustrious football career, which included three Super Bowl championships as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and the honor of being the only player to have won a Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP and NFL Rushing Crown in the same season. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010, Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, having amassed 18,355 yards during his 15 seasons.
Smith’s charm and charisma, which made him one of the sports world’s most popular personalities during his playing career, quickly translated to the entertainment world following his retirement. In 2006, Smith’s cross-over appeal became even more apparent when he, along with dance partner Cheryl Burke, was crowned winner of the hit ABC reality show “Dancing with the Stars.” In 2012, Emmitt and Cheryl returned to the dance floor for the first ever all-stars season of “Dancing with the Stars,” and they advanced to the semifinals despite the highest level of competition in the show’s history.
As well known for his character and integrity as he is for his athletic ability, Smith continues to give back to the community and support higher education via Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, an organization that annually awards college scholarships and provides enrichment opportunities to underserved youth.
Smith continues to share his personal and professional stories with organizations across the country. He has been a member of the President’s Health and Fitness Council, and has been recognized by numerous organizations for his leadership and public service. He also authored the 2011 book, Game On: Find Your Purpose — Pursue Your Dreams, which chronicles his story from humble beginnings growing up in Pensacola, Fla. to his rise in the business world.
Smith is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Recreation. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is married and the father of five children.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College