The MLS star showing diabetes the red card

Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris refuses to let the condition affect his game

Footballers often have to overcome setbacks on their journey to the top, but very few have to battle a genetic opponent from childhood.

Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of nine. The condition means that the young forward’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which results in high blood sugar levels.

“Glucose provides us with the energy to do things,” the club’s head trainer, Chris Cornish, tells FFT. “When glucose is too high you produce insulin to lower those glucose levels. But Jordan has to manually monitor his levels.”

The 22-year-old eats set meals and follows nutritional rules to control the diabetes. “Eating lots of carbohydrates or sugar before a game can make your blood sugar get out of whack,” he says.

“I make sure I don’t skip meals, and I take insulin 15 minutes before I eat. That way it has time to kick in.”

Morris always keeps a bag of sweets and a monitor with him to prevent his blood sugar levels from dropping too low, while the Sounders’ coaches now have a clever way of ensuring he does not fall ill on the pitch.

“We have a special sign that Jordan can signal to the bench if he feels his blood sugar’s dropping,” Cornish adds. “That way, we can soon get him what he needs on the field.”

Morris 1-0 Diabetes.