Jets’ Linebacker Poised for Play, Despite Diabetes

New York Jets linebacker Kenwin Cummings is poised to join the ranks of active NFL players with diabetes

The 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes while in high school, signed with the Jets in 2008 but has remained on the practice squad the past two seasons. This weekend, however, he made the roster as backup inside linebacker and special-teams player after leading the team in tackles through the first three preseason games, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

 Cummings credits focused work on his stance and footwork in training camp with speeding up his play. Coping with diabetes is a constant challenge, but not one that Cummings lets slow him down, he tells the Star-Ledger.

 He checks his blood glucose level whenever symptoms pop up. A tote he carries containing insulin, his pump, test strips and other medical supplies is his constant companion; his teammates jokingly refer to it as Cummings’ purse. By now, he says, staying vigilant about the disease is not a sacrifice but simply a part of life.

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