Dallas Goedert, a renowned tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles and a Super Bowl LIX champion, is not only celebrated for his accomplishments on the field but also for his courage in sharing his personal battle with plaque psoriasis. For the past 20 years, Goedert has quietly lived with this chronic autoimmune disorder, which causes dysregulated skin cell turnover driven by inflammation rather than infection.
The condition manifests as raised, red patches on his skin, covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scales. Despite his success in football, Goedert has faced challenges due to his skin condition, often feeling self-conscious in situations where others might freely enjoy the sun.
“When it’s on my arms, I’d wear long sleeves, try to cover up. When we go outside and have a workout in the sun, I kept my shirt on when a lot of people took their shirts off to get the sunshine,” – Dallas Goedert
Determined to raise awareness and educate others about plaque psoriasis, Goedert has begun sharing his journey, hoping to inspire and support those who live with similar conditions. He aims to inform his NFL teammates, fans, and the broader public about the realities of living with psoriasis, emphasizing that with the right treatment, achieving clear skin is possible.
“I never had somebody that I could look up to… a celebrity or somebody famous that has psoriasis, so being able to talk about my story is important to me because if I can help another kid struggling with the same thing I struggled with, that just means so much to me,” – Dallas Goedert
In collaboration with Adam Friedman, MD, a professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC, Goedert is working to demystify the condition. Dr. Friedman explains that the plaques seen in psoriasis are due to dysregulated skin cell turnover caused by inflammation.
“The plaques are caused by dysregulated skin cell turnover driven by inflammation, not infection,” – Adam Friedman, MD
Dr. Friedman also highlights that psoriasis involves more than just visible plaques. It is linked to joint disease (psoriatic arthritis), cardiovascular risks, metabolic syndrome, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This multifaceted impact can lead to social stigma and affect patients' confidence.
“Despite this, many patients still face stigma and social ostracism, as bystanders see red, flaky patches and assume infection, among other things, which can take a toll on their confidence and social interactions.” – Adam Friedman, MD
Goedert's experience resonates with many who face similar challenges. His journey underscores the need for understanding and acceptance for those battling plaque psoriasis. He emphasizes how challenging it can be to manage skin care routines while maintaining a demanding athletic career.
“Being a football player — sweating a lot, getting in and out of cold tubs, showering after workouts and practice — it was hard for me to put on topicals multiple times a day and keep it on long enough to have their effects,” – Dallas Goedert
Nonetheless, Goedert remains steadfast in overcoming these obstacles. He believes in finding ways to navigate life's difficulties.
“But all those things are things I’ve had to deal with and overcome… It’s never fun, but you have to do a lot of things in your life that aren’t fun or are hard, and you just find a way to get through.” – Dallas Goedert
With advances in treatment options, Dr. Friedman notes that the current mindset is to treat patients for clearance of symptoms and not merely manage them.
“Given the options, the current mindset is we treat to clearance, which even 10 to 15 years ago was no easy feat,” – Adam Friedman
He is optimistic about the possibilities for patients today.
“With the right treatment, clear skin is not only a real possibility for many patients but is an expectation today. This isn’t a condition people have to ‘live with.’” – Adam Friedman
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