Hank Stram was one of the most innovative and successful coaches in the history of American football. He led the Kansas City Chiefs to three AFL championships and one Super Bowl victory, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. But behind his achievements and charisma, he also struggled with a chronic condition that eventually took his life: diabetes.
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What is Diabetes and How Does It Affect the Body?
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a type of sugar that is the main source of energy for the cells. Normally, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that helps glucose enter the cells. But in people with diabetes, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the cells do not respond well to insulin, or both. This causes glucose to build up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar levels can cause various complications over time, such as damage to the nerves, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, heart, and other organs. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, hunger, urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds. According to Mayo Clinic, there are different types of diabetes, such as type 1, type 2, gestational, and prediabetes. The causes and risk factors of diabetes vary depending on the type, but some of them include genetics, lifestyle, obesity, age, ethnicity, and family history.
How Did Hank Stram Develop Diabetes and How Did He Manage It?
Hank Stram was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1995, when he was 72 years old. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and it occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin. Some of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, eating a high-calorie diet, smoking, and having a family history of diabetes.
Stram had some of these risk factors, such as being overweight and having a family history of diabetes. His son Dale Stram said that his father had always struggled with his weight, and that his grandfather had also died from complications of diabetes. Stram also had a stressful career as a coach, which may have contributed to his condition.
Stram tried to manage his diabetes by taking medication and following a diet plan. He also consulted with doctors and nutritionists regularly. However, he still faced some challenges and complications from his disease. He suffered from neuropathy, which is a nerve damage that can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the feet and legs. He also had congestive heart failure, which is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
How Did Diabetes Lead to Hank Stram’s Death?
Hank Stram’s health deteriorated in his last years. He was hospitalized several times for various reasons, such as pneumonia, dehydration, kidney failure, and infections. He also had to use a wheelchair and a walker to move around. He died on July 4, 2005, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, Louisiana. His son Dale Stram attributed his father’s death to complications from diabetes.
Hank Stram’s death was a sad loss for his family, friends, fans, and the football community. He was remembered as a pioneer, a leader, a mentor, and a friend by many people who knew him or admired him. He left behind a legacy of innovation and excellence that will always be cherished by those who love the game of football.
