DALLAS, TX – Throughout his athletic career, Everson Walls made a name for himself as a cornerback, stopping teams from scoring in becoming a legendary football player. Now the former Dallas Cowboy great and 13-year NFL player is teaming up with the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in the fight to end diabetes.
November is American Diabetes Month®, a time to raise awareness and inspire hope in the fight to end diabetes — one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases in the world. Nearly one in two Americans has diabetes or prediabetes.
Walls, who played collegiately at Grambling State University for legendary head coach Eddie Robinson, made the Dallas Cowboys roster as a rookie free agent in 1981. Walls emerged as a starter during that season and went on to lead the league in interceptions, a feat he would accomplish three times in his career. Walls was voted to four Pro Bowls (1982-84, 1986) and named First-Team All-Pro three times (1982, 1983 and 1985).
Walls, who is a member of both the Louisiana and Texas Sports Halls of Fame, made arguably the biggest play of his life in 2007 with former Dallas Cowboys teammate Ron Springs, who suffered from diabetes before passing away in 2011.
“I saw with Ron the impact diabetes can have. I was blessed to donate one of my kidneys to help in his fight,” said Walls of Springs. “I am honored to be selected by the ADA to be an ambassador and voice in the fight to find a cure.”
Walls, who also played for the New York Giants (1990-92), and Cleveland Browns (1992-93) in collecting 57 career interceptions, is among a number of former and current NFL players serving as ambassadors in the national awareness campaign with the ADA, with each sharing their personal connections to diabetes and encouraging fans to join the fight.
Among other ambassadors in the campaign include former players Lorenzo Alexander (Washington Commanders/Arizona Cardinals / Buffalo Bills) and Malcolm Butler (New England Patriots), and while current players include Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys), Storm Duck (Miami Dolphins), Chad Muma and more.
2025 marks the 85th anniversary of the ADA—celebrating eight decades of progress while recognizing there is still more to do to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by it.
“Looking back at the progress made over the last 85 years, you can see how every learning, every policy shift, every moment spent in pursuit of a cure helped get to where we are today,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, ADA chief executive officer. “It all mattered—and it still does as we continue toward a future free from diabetes and all its burdens.”
Throughout November, the ADA will share inspiring stories, engagement opportunities, and ways to take action, including a 2X donation match (Nov 1–27) and 4X match (Nov 28–Dec 31).
WHO: ADA Ambassadors — former and current NFL players — are available for interviews throughout November to discuss their involvement and inspire fans to get involved.
WHEN: November 2025 — American Diabetes Month®
WHERE: Virtual and in-person interview opportunities available upon request.
DONATE: Reporters and readers who wish to support the ADA’s mission may donate directly at diabetes.org/everson.
