Daryl Johnston and the Muscle Team

Former Dallas Cowboys fullback and current FOX television NFL analyst Daryl Johnston shares his strength by lending support to children affected by neuromuscular disease

by Scott Murray

 
It began in 1994 as a dream that the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Dallas would team up with local athletes to raise money and awareness for those who live with neuromuscular disease. That dream manifested into the Muscle Team – a group of professional athletes in cities nationwide who participate in fundraising events in their communities. The athletes greet and encourage children who suffer from neuromuscular disease, and lend their presence to spark enthusiasm for the cause. Over the last decade, the Team has flexed its muscle from Dallas to Los Angeles to New York and beyond. The result is millions raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Former Dallas Cowboy fullback and current FOX television NFL analyst Daryl Johnston was a charter member, and has not missed a year since. “I’m very proud to be a part of such a wonderful concept since its infancy. It’s a great thing what has happened. As athletes, we’re blessed to be able to compete. We know how fortunate we are,” says Johnston, “so to be able to help kids with muscle disease and help raise money for a good cause leaves you with a great feeling. And now, years later, I’m pleased it’s moved to the next level.”

Since that inaugural year a decade ago, the MDA Muscle Team has added participants in Boston, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Knoxville, New York, Colorado Springs, Denver, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Lansing, Michigan. The list of participating athletes continues to grow, now including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, NASCAR, and Olympic gold medallists. Many of the athletes are members of the Hall of Fame in their sport. Athletes, who depend on their muscles for their professions, are joining the Team in hopes of making a difference in the lives of those who cannot compete because they do not have healthy muscles.

As a way of thanking many of the athletes who continue to lend their support, awards are named in their honor. This year, The Daryl Johnston Celebrity Champion Award was presented to his former Dallas Cowboys teammate, Troy Aikman. Aikman has been extraordinarily supportive of youth programs and has supported the hospitalization of children through his own nonprofit organization, the Troy Aikman Foundation.

Daryl’s wife, Diane, who has been a tireless worker behind the scenes for many years, received the Unsung Hero Award; henceforth, the award will bear her name. “I never expected to have an award named after me. It’s special and I’m flattered, but that’s not what I got into it for. I’m just grateful for the wonderful people I’ve met, not only the kids, but the people that run the events. They do a great job. It’s a tremendous cause,” says Diane.

As the number of participating athletes increases, celebrities from the music world have joined as well; for example, Rudy Gatlin of the famed Gatlin Brothers. The music group hosted a celebrity golf tournament for MDA for more than 20 years in conjunction with the PGA professional golf assistants. Rudy has now joined the Muscle Team as another way of supporting a great cause.

Corporate partners in Muscle Team cities are the primary vehicle for the fundraising efforts. Albertsons, a food and drug store chain with 125 locations in the North Texas area, has been with the MDA Muscle Team in Dallas since its inception. Last month, the Dallas team raised $190,000. New York City has generated the most revenue so far this year, with $890,000. Last year, the 16 cities raised $2.1 million dollars.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association and the 43 neuromuscular disorders included in the association’s service programs initially gained national prominence when legendary actor and comedian Jerry Lewis began the Jerry Lewis Telethon 40 years ago. Since that time, the annual telethon has become a Labor Day ritual for millions of families in the United States and Canada, raising billions of dollars for MDA. Last year alone, a record $60 million was raised nationally, and a record $2.7 million was raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. As a result, a nationwide network
of approximately 230 outpatient clinics was established. The clinics are staffed by teams of top health professionals, skilled in cutting-edge research, early diagnosis, and medical management of neuromuscular disease.

Just a decade ago, the Muscle Team was simply a dream. Now, ten years later, athletes nationwide have stepped forward to make the Team the effective force it is. The next time you see Rafael Palmeiro hit another homerun, NHL All-Star Mike Modano score a goal, NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitski score a 3-pointer, Michael Strahan register another sack, Jeff Burton take the checkered flag, or Bart Connor and Nadia Comenici record a perfect 10, remember that they are all a part of the MDA Muscle Team.