Health Advocate & Former NFL Linebacker; Founder of Chris Draft Family Foundation; Co-Founder of Team Draft; NFL Ambassador
Chris Draft Biography
Chris Draft is a former NFL linebacker whose 12-year professional football career is complemented by his commitment to community service and public health advocacy. Draft graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science in economics and played both football and baseball for the Cardinals. As a three-year starter at linebacker and senior captain, he earned All-Pac 10 honors and was selected in the NFL Draft, beginning a career that spanned several teams.
Draft played for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, and Buffalo Bills. He started 52 of his 71 games with the Falcons and 89 of his 150 NFL games overall. Over his career, Draft recorded 667 tackles, 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and five interceptions. He faced personal health challenges, including multiple hospitalizations for severe asthma, yet continued to compete at the professional level. Draft was recognized for his contributions on and off the field, receiving the NFL Spirit Award and being named his franchise's Man of the Year in both Carolina and St. Louis. He was also a two-time finalist for the Byron Whizzer White Award.
While with the Carolina Panthers, Draft established the Chris Draft Family Foundation, which focuses on family, education, healthy lifestyles, character development, personal responsibility, self-discipline, and physical fitness. His advocacy became deeply personal when his late wife, Lakeasha Rutledge-Draft, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer despite being a never-smoker. Together, they launched the nonprofit Team Draft at their wedding to address lung cancer awareness and advocacy. Rutledge-Draft died from the disease one month later at age 38.
Draft co-founded Team Draft, leading a national campaign to change the face of lung cancer. Team Draft collects and shares the stories of lung cancer survivors and caregivers, reshaping the social landscape of lung cancer. The campaign has taken Draft to more than 100 leading cancer research and treatment facilities in North America. He launched the Team Draft Survivor Series, enabling survivors and caregivers to attend NFL, NHL, NBA, and college football games. Through Team Draft's Super Bowl Challenge, lung cancer survivor advocates raise funds for local cancer centers and compete for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Draft is an internationally recognized speaker, community leader, and advocate for family and character development. He serves as an NFL Ambassador and national spokesperson on health-related issues, including asthma and lung cancer care and treatment. Draft is a frequent speaker for international businesses, national cancer organizations, and lung cancer foundations. He has received the LUNGevity Hero award for his dedication to raising lung cancer awareness and combating stigma. Draft regularly provides commentary and perspective to CNN, ESPN, and NFL Network on community and sports issues.
Chris Draft Videos
Changing the Face of Lung Cancer | Chris Draft | TEDxBerkshires
In this TEDx Berkshires talk, former NFL player and Stanford University graduate Chris Draft shares the story about losing his wife Keasha to Lung...
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What topics does Chris Draft speak about?
Chris Draft is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Cancer, Football, Health & Wellness, Human Resources, Inspirational, Motivational, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, Social Activism, Sports, Sports Motivation, Teamwork & Teambuilding -
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Chris Draft is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Chris Draft for your event is available upon request. Chris Draft generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Jim Kelly, Joe Theismann, Eric Boles and Vince Papale. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Chris Draft for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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