DEA and NFL Alumni Health Team Up on Football’s Biggest Stage to Tackle the Fentanyl Crisis
SAN FRANCISCO – For a third consecutive year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and NFL Alumni Health (NFLAH) are joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and spreading a critical message: One Pill Can Kill.
Building on the success of the last two years, this collaboration supports DEA’s newest initiative, Fentanyl Free America, with the goal of reducing demand for fentanyl and protecting communities from its devastating impacts.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often pressed into counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Adderall. Fentanyl is also mixed into other substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin – a deceitful tactic that has caused record numbers of drug overdoses and poisonings in the United States. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for public awareness and education. Most importantly, people need to understand that just two milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly and that the only safe medications are those prescribed to you by a trusted doctor or pharmacist.
DEA and NFLAH has brought this critical message to the Super Bowl for three years; within that time, there has been a significant decline in fentanyl-related poisoning deaths. In 2024, fentanyl killed nearly 50,000 people compared to nearly 73,000 in 2023 at the height of the crisis. While this is promising news, drug-related deaths, driven by synthetic opioids, remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44.
Increased awareness at high-profile events like the Super Bowl, combined with enforcement, education, supply chain disruptions, and demand reduction efforts, have all lead to this progress.
“This is the deadliest drug crisis our nation has ever faced. While we spread the message that One Pill Can Kill, we also know that one informed parent, one coach, or one teammate can make all the difference and save a life,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “DEA is proud to team up with NFL Alumni Health to deliver a powerful message: America is done playing defense. We’re tackling this crisis head on and working together to ensure future generations live in a Fentanyl Free America.”
Organizations like NFL Alumni Health support lifesaving public outreach and education. Throughout DEA’s partnership with NFL Alumni Health, we have seen a significant and sustained decline in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. “This collaboration leverages the influence of former players, like legendary Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, to amplify the One Pill Can Kill campaign by inspiring change to protect communities. DEA and NFLAH are working together to eliminate the fentanyl supply that is fueling the nation’s deadliest drug crisis and build a Fentanyl Free America,” says Brad Edwards, CEO of the NFL Alumni Association.
NFL Alumni Health Managing Member Kyle Richardson added, “We want Americans and families to have open and honest conversations. Just like we sit around the kitchen table talking about football and our favorite teams and players, we should be talking about real ways to keep our families safe. If you don’t know where to start, DEA provides those resources like Tips for Talking as a way to have conversations based on age, elementary through young adult.”
Joining Administrator Cole to amplify the One Pill Can Kill Campaign and inspire change at the Super Bowl this year are NFL Alumni Kyle Richardson, Garrison Hearst, and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. Through media appearances, a visit to a local school to share the One Pill Can Kill presentation, and a “street team” taking the message directly to fans around the host city, NFL Alumni Health and DEA are encouraging open and honest conversations about the dangers of fentanyl.
DEA seized more than 47 million fentanyl pills and nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2025, removing the equivalent of 369 million deadly doses from circulation.
We must all play a role in building a Fentanyl Free America:
Understand the dangers of fentanyl and share the facts with others
Encourage honest conversations about counterfeit pills
Increase awareness by sharing what a Fentanyl Free America means to you on social media, using the hashtag #fentanylfree or #fentanylfreetome
Connect with DEA on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, to follow us throughout the week leading up to Sunday’s big game, and help us spread awareness on social media by tagging @DEAHQ, @nflalumnihealth, #OnePillCanKill, #huddleforhealth, #OPCKBigGame, #TipstoTalk, #fentanylfree #fentanylfreetome, #SBLX, #SB2026, #SuperBowl60.
For free materials, including fact sheets, tips to talk to youth, and promotional content, visit DEA.gov/onepill. Visit dea.gov/fentanylfree for resources to protect, prevent and support your community.
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