Dan Marino Opens Up About Liver Disease Diagnosis and How He’s Improving His Health
NFL legend Dan Marino, 64, is sharing his journey of overcoming a serious liver condition and how lifestyle changes have helped him improve his prognosis. After retiring in 2000, Marino admits he “let my diet go,” a decision he believes contributed to his diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Early Signs and Diagnosis
Marino says he had no major symptoms when he went for a routine checkup in 2007, only experiencing “a little fatigue.” He acknowledges, “I wasn’t really working out as much as I should — because I used to work out when I played all the time and I kind of got away from that a little bit.”
During the exam, doctors informed Marino that he had a fatty liver and was diagnosed with MASH, a condition in which excess fat cells accumulate in the liver, causing chronic inflammation that can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
“The doctors immediately said it can be reversible and taken care of, but mainly for me, they said, ‘You gotta work out. You got to lose weight,’” Marino recalls.
Turning Health Around
Marino is participating in Novo Nordisk’s Unordinary Stories campaign, where athletes share their unique health journeys to inspire others. He credits friends and family for helping him stay on track. Former teammate Terry Kirby trains Marino at a local gym, while his wife Claire supports him with nightly walks, bike rides, and keeping him on schedule for doctor appointments.
“It’s the people that love you and you love them. It feels like a little village,” Marino says, emphasizing the importance of support in maintaining his health.
Lifestyle Changes and Consistency
For Marino, consistent lifestyle changes have been key. “It’s the exercise, riding bike, walking, and diet, and then getting back to just being consistent — waking up and making sure you gotta do something every day,” he explains. He identifies diet as the main contributor to his condition, noting that after 17 seasons in the NFL, he let his healthy habits slide.
Following his doctor’s recommendations, Marino adopted a Mediterranean diet, cutting back on wine, pizza, candy, and ice cream. He stresses that regular exercise and healthy eating, combined with consistency, are essential for managing MASH.
A Positive Outlook
Today, Marino’s liver disease has stabilized. “It hasn’t changed … I get the ultrasounds and all that every year and so far it’s been fine,” he says. He is optimistic about his long-term prognosis, adding, “It’s gonna get better and better and better.”
By sharing his story, Marino hopes to raise awareness about fatty liver disease and MASH, encouraging others to take action early. “I want to get people aware of it, so maybe they can get treated and it can make a difference in their lives,” he concludes.
