Vanderbilt Linebacker Mentors Young Athletes With Diabetes
Austin Howard shares how he manages type 1 diabetes while competing in collegiate football.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Diabetes
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Sophomore linebacker Austin Howard is mentoring young athletes living with type 1 diabetes in Nashville. He aims to demonstrate that a diagnosis does not have to end an athlete's career.
Why it matters
Managing blood glucose during high-intensity sports requires specialized coordination between athletes and training staff. Howard's experience helps normalize the use of monitoring technology in competitive athletic environments.
The Dexcom U program currently supports a roster of over 30,000 members. This initiative provides a community for athletes to track glucose levels and manage their condition alongside active participation in sports.
The players
Austin Howard
A sophomore linebacker for Vanderbilt University who advocates for athletes with type 1 diabetes.
Brannon Reardon
An athlete living with type 1 diabetes for six years who is part of the community mentored by Howard.
The details
Howard utilizes a Dexcom G7 glucose monitor on his arm to track his blood sugar levels in real time during football games. By coordinating these data points with his athletic trainers, he can maintain safe glucose ranges throughout intense physical exertion. This approach allows him to manage the condition he was diagnosed with at age 15, which had previously caused him to lose 35 pounds before he began professional management.
Timeline
Four years ago, Howard received his type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
Six years ago, Brannon Reardon received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
In October 2026, Howard hosted families at the Vanderbilt football facility.
Health Landscape
The Dexcom U program represents an evolution in how continuous glucose monitoring is integrated into the lives of young, active populations. This approach shifts the focus from purely clinical management to supporting sustainable performance in high-impact sports.
If you are an athlete managing type 1 diabetes, tracking your glucose during exercise with a wearable monitor is a key step in preventing dangerous fluctuations. Always coordinate with your athletic trainer or physician to develop a game-day management plan that suits your specific physical demands.
The takeaway
A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes does not preclude high-level athletic participation when managed with the right monitoring tools and team support. Speak with your healthcare provider about how continuous glucose monitoring technology could support your specific physical activity goals.
Further reading
For more on managing blood sugar in active lifestyles, explore our Diabetes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRN News 2.
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