Daniel Fells
College and pro athletes face down the threat of MRSA every year. In 2015, the NY Giants tight end, Daniel Fells contracted MRSA on his foot and spent weeks in the hospital as doctors considered amputation. Earlier, three Tampa Bay Buccaneers contracted the infection; two never returned to the sport. In 2003, 21-year-old All-American wide receiver at Pennsylvania’s Lycoming College died from a MRSA infection. According to Duke University researchers, football players are seven to ten times more likely than the general public to have MRSA bacteria on their skin.
It’s no wonder institutions are on a crusade to keep the bacteria out from the start. The NFL has an official prevention manual, and Colgate University invested in sophisticated cleaning machines that use ozone gas to disinfect locker rooms and equipment. As awareness grows, so do body and environment cleaning protocols aimed at preventing the life-threatening bacteria from finding hosts.