Applied Silver, Inc., a health tech company focused on eradicating the spread of life-threatening pathogens, has named NFL alums Cam Cameron, Daniel Fells and Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott to its Athlete Advisory Council. The trio joins former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ian Williams on the council with a goal of raising awareness for this serious health issue in the sports industry.
Infection risks have been identified in professional and collegiate sports. Athletes are 10 times more likely to have MRSA. When infections occur, they can be life-threatening, sometimes deadly. Fells and Williams each had their NFL playing careers ended due to MRSA infections. Now they are using their harrowing experiences to make sports even safer for other athletes.
“My career was ended by a Staph infection in my ankle,” said Williams, who played defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. “I want to do something to help others avoid what happened to me and leave the world a better place than the way I came into it; a safer and cleaner place.”
Studies have shown that pathogens can flourish in crowded gyms and locker room; athletic gear, including towels, socks, undergarments, uniforms and carpets, can be a major vehicle in the spread of disease. Applied Silver is attacking the problem through the laundry with its transformational, EPA-approved SilvaClean technology.
“Healthcare facilities and sports medicine programs are uniquely positioned to drive forward our collective social responsibility towards more prudent use of antibiotics,” said Applied Silver’s Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, Elizabeth Hutt Pollard.