Watch Now: NFL Player Josh Andrews Speaks Out About Narcolepsy

For the first time, Josh Andrews (#68) offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons, shares his story of living with narcolepsy in a new video series with Project Sleep to raise global narcolepsy awareness for World Narcolepsy Day (Sept. 22, 2021).

Josh Andrews is an American football offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State. He has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and New York Jets. Josh is also a husband, father, and a person living with narcolepsy.

Watch & Share The Videos:

Josh’s Path to Narcolepsy Diagnosis

In this video, Josh reflects on experiencing sleepiness starting around age 12, but growing up as a competitive athlete, thinking this was due to exerting himself in sports. At age 26, Josh received a diagnosis of narcolepsy, while playing professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles. Upon learning about other symptoms of narcolepsy, Josh talks about experiencing sleep paralysis and mild cataplexy (muscle weakness triggered by emotions).

Football + Family + Narcolepsy

In Part 2, Josh opens up about living with narcolepsy as an NFL player, husband and father. Josh’s honesty and vulnerability tugs at our hearts and reminds us that we are ALL just doing our best to figure this out one day at a time. + Josh shares some advice for someone newly diagnosed with narcolepsy!

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Narcolepsy

In Part 3, Josh shares five things you may not have known about narcolepsy, which affects 3 million people around the world. Due to misperceptions and lack of awareness — even among physicians — the majority of people with narcolepsy are currently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Just one of the many reasons we’re so excited to be partnering with Josh to raise awareness!

Project Sleep, one of the 28 co-leading organizations of World Narcolepsy Day, is a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of sleep health and sleep disorders. Josh Andrews first partnered with Project Sleep in 2020 as his non-profit of choice during the #MyCauseMyCleats campaign.

World Narcolepsy Day, on Sept. 22nd, is a day dedicated to raising awareness of narcolepsy on a global scale. Co-led by 28 patient advocacy organizations across 6 continents, World Narcolepsy Day unites the international narcolepsy community to inspire action, increase public knowledge, and elevate the voices of the 3 million people living with narcolepsy worldwide. Together, we can reduce delays in narcolepsy diagnosis, reduce stigma and improve outcomes. Get involved and use the hashtag #WorldNarcolepsyDay.

Huge thanks to Josh for raising his voice. Please share to raise critical awareness!