Former Steeler urges Fayette County to shape up
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris delivered a simple message to his audience at Penn State Fayette, Eberly Campus: “There is a health problem in Fayette County and something needs to be done about it. …That goal is loud and clear – Get Healthy, Fayette County.’ Harris’ remarks were a take-off on the name of the all-day health conference he addressed on Thursday called “Get Healthy Fayette,’ which was sponsored by Rural LISC and Fayette County Community Action Inc.
The member of the NFL Hall of Fame said he first learned about Fayette County’s problems from his former teammate Steve Courson, who lives in Fayette County and works with Community Action in its Healthy Living Program as a health and fitness consultant.
Those problems include high levels of obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes. Officials hope that “Get Healthy Fayette’ can help to begin turning this situation around as it offered a full day of information sessions with health professionals as well as a health fair and motivational speakers that included Harris and Courson.
Harris, a Penn State graduate, addressed the group in an afternoon session, saying, “Steve and I know about teamwork. It takes everyone coming together. Each of us has our part to do. Our goal must be achieved by working together.’
But he added, “It’s going to take time to accomplish. This didn’t happen overnight. You have to look at lifestyle changes – eating changes. Find ways to be active. …These challenges can be met and you’re taking the first steps today.’
Courson shared his amazing story in the morning pre-game warm-up session (To help the participants relax and enjoy themselves, the day was divided into segments of a football game with quarters and a halftime that featured lunch and Harris. Participants were encouraged to wear their favorite team jerseys with most sporting Steeler clothing.)
One of the strongest players in the NFL, Courson found himself facing a life-threatening situation in 1988 when diagnosed with dilated-cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakened his heart. He found himself on the transplant list and slid into depression.
But Courson was introduced to Dr. Barry Sears who changed his lifestyle through diet and exercise to the degree that Courson was removed from the transplant list in the early ’90s and his cardiologists told him to “keep doing whatever you’re doing.’
When he started his new lifestyle program, Courson’s health was so bad that he would become breathless walking up stairs. He started exercising at a slow but steady pace, doing low-impact cardio-vascular and resistance training by walking on a flat surface and lifting lighter weights with higher repetitions.
“If you take your time and start off slow, anyone can get started,’ said Courson.
He continues to do a low-impact work out, enjoying walking at the Uniontown Mall 60 to 90 minutes at an extremely brisk pace and in the woods with his dogs. He uses free weights and machines for resistance, working out four days a week and alternating working his body parts.
“Train smart. You don’t have to kill yourself. It’s not how hard you train, it’s how smart you train,’ said Courson, noting low-impact training can include speed walking, power walking with heavy hands, treadmill, Stairmaster, swimming, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. “Do something you like to do that you’ll do everyday. Make it fun.’
Courson lost weight, reduced his blood pressure and at 49 performed a treadmill test equal to what he did at age 27 when he played with the Steelers.
Now, Courson helps others by speaking about his recovery and against the use of anabolic steroids, even testifying before Congress earlier this year.
He urged participants at “Get Healthy Fayette’ to make healthy changes, but advised, “Think about a lifetime. You’re not getting ready for the Olympics. Think of where you’re going to be in a year and a half. Set short-term goals for the next month. But think about a lifetime of fitness.’
Following retirement, Harris purchased Super Bakery in Pittsburgh and Park Sausages in Baltimore. His baked goods are in school systems in all 50 states and he’s working to make them available in restaurants and grocery stores.
Harris, who has been involved in community service and has spoken out against childhood obesity, explained he has no scientific research but maintains his own views, including dismissing fads for common sense. It’s what he likes to call “Grandma’s Wisdom.’
“Think about it. She said ‘Eat your vegetables.’ ‘Don’t spoil your dinner.’ ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ ‘Carrots are good for your eyes.’ It’s very simple. Where did that wisdom go?’ he asked. “…It was simple and to the point healthy eating.’
Harris noted when he was growing up, “We did not eat between meals. We didn’t have the money. In our house, we had no snacks. You ate three meals a day and in-between you were playing outside. Sometimes you missed a meal because you were outside playing.’
He recalled his football days and the way his diet has changed today: “I don’t need all the food I used to eat and we used to eat.’
These days, Harris has changed his lifestyle for preventative health reasons but will still eat ice cream or a piece of cake. To stay active, he does three miles a day – either fast walking or slow running – and enjoys tennis.
“The choices you make everyday impact your life,’ Harris said, asking the participants to consider: “What choices are you going to make?’