Voices From the Field Podcast: Former NFL Stars and CDC Gear-Up Against Cancer

During the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta, NPHIC conducted a special series of interviews titled Voices from the Field as part of its Public Health Speaks podcast. Over the next several weeks, NPHIC will release one new episode each week in this seven-part series, featuring conversations with public health leaders, communicators, and partners who are driving change across the nation.

The first episode kicks off with a compelling discussion on the partnership between the National Football League Alumni Association (NFL Alumni) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their “Gear Up Against Cancer” campaign. This national initiative aims to raise awareness about the impact of colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection.

According to the CDC, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Data show that Black and Latino men face a higher risk, with Black men 40 percent more likely to die from the disease. Through this campaign, the NFL Alumni and CDC are using trusted voices to spread a life-saving message: get screened.

In the interview, NPHIC’s Olivia Biggs speaks with campaign partners about how regular screenings, open conversations, and community engagement can shift behaviors and save lives. Former NFL wide receiver Perry Kemp shared a heartfelt message: “Hey, it happens to football players and our families too. Prevention is everything — get tested.”

The Gear Up Against Cancer campaign has already achieved impressive results — 775 million impressions in its first six months — and continues to build momentum through listening sessions and community outreach.

We encourage all of our readers to listen to this powerful first episode and stay tuned each week as NPHIC releases the remaining Voices from the Field interviews. Each episode explores a different public health topic, offering real-world insights and inspiring stories from those working on the front lines of health communication.

Listen to the podcast here and subscribe to the series to hear more Voices from the Field!