For the 13th consecutive season, the NFL and the American Cancer Society are teaming up to support the fight against cancer with the “Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer” campaign. The aim is to promote early cancer screening and detection, which are down 90 percent in some cases due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, intercepting cancer in its early stages is critical.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on cancer screenings, with a screening decline that the ACS expects to lead to more late cancer diagnoses and increased cancer deaths in the future,” Dr. Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD, chief executive officer of ACS, said via a release from the NFL. “This year, it is critical to safely restart cancer screenings and to ensure that everyone has access to lifesaving screening. The strong, ongoing support of the NFL and Crucial Catch is invaluable to ACS’s work to increase cancer screenings, especially in underserved communities that need them most.”
NFL fans and viewers might have noticed elements of the campaign during several games during the Week 4 NFL schedule, including special sideline gear worn by coaches and players. The 2021 NFL Crucial Catch initiative will continue through Week 6, with each team getting an opportunity to participate in a Crucial Catch game at some point during that span.
During their Crucial Catch game, players are permitted to wear cleats and shoelaces of any color to represent cancer awareness they support. You’ll also see plenty of sideline hats, hoodies, and shirts drawing awareness to early cancer detection and screening.
These games will also feature the Crucial Catch logo on the field and around the stadium, as well as other elements that promote cancer awareness on equipment and gameday apparel for players, coaches and officials. Cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer will be honored.
Since 2009, the NFL has raised more than $23 million for the American Cancer Society and supported over 600,000 cancer screenings. Learn more about the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign.
