Former NFL Player with ALS Diagnosis, Who Works as a Firefighter Becomes a Dad for the 1st Time

Former sports star Eric Stevens has welcomed his first child with his wife, Amanda, just over a year after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Eric Stevens, formerly a football player in the NFL and currently works as a firefighter, has welcomed a cute baby girl with his wife of one year, Amanda.

Stevens became a dad just over a year after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He took to his Instagram page with a photo of the new baby wrapped in a pink shawl, looking angelic in the sunkissed photo.

Stevens introduced his baby girl by her moniker while adding her date of birth. The star dad described his daughter as the “sweetest angel in all the lands,” in the photo's caption.

Back in August 2019, the former football player received some sad news a month after his wedding. The news was that he had ALS and would gradually lose control over his nervous system. The implication is that Stevens won’t be able to control his muscles.

The initial stage of ALS makes the patient experience twitching of muscles, limb weakness, and a growing slur in their speech. Eventually, the individual would lose the ability to walk or eat on their own.

Presently, Eric and Amanda have become staunch advocates in ALS cases.

Stevens, who is a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire department, had a fine career as an NFL player for the St. Louis Rams. He initially played college football at the University of California.

Last year, the former football player experienced a decline in his health as he discovered he could not move his hands above his head and also had difficulties getting out of a chair.

Once, while Amanda spoke on her spouse’s condition, she opened up about being positive, emphasizing that they were focused on the things that they could control, which was the excitement of becoming parents.

Presently, Eric and Amanda have become staunch advocates in ALS cases, beckoning on the legislation that would look into the health condition and pass a bill to accelerate access to treatment.

Before welcoming their daughter, the couple spoke with People sharing that the addition to their family served as a silver lining. Although some of their life plans might have been altered due to ALS, they are glad to have welcomed their baby.