NFL Legend Dan Marino Announces Serious Health Diagnosis

What is "MASH"?

Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatosis Hepatitis (MASH), previously known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a progressive form of fatty liver disease that occurs when fat accumulation in the liver is accompanied by inflammation and cellular injury. It develops in the context of metabolic dysfunction, such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Over time, persistent fat buildup and inflammation can cause fibrosis, leading to scarring and increasing the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unlike alcohol-related liver disease, MASH arises without significant alcohol consumption, making metabolic and lifestyle factors the primary drivers.

Clinically, MASH is often silent until advanced, but patients may present with fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort, or abnormal liver function tests. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, imaging to detect fat in the liver, and sometimes a biopsy to assess inflammation and fibrosis. Management focuses on lifestyle modification—weight loss, improved diet, and physical activity—along with medical treatment for metabolic conditions. Emerging drug therapies targeting inflammation, lipid metabolism, and fibrosis are under study, offering hope for slowing or reversing disease progression.

Marino's message

The former NFL MVP had words of encouragement, stating that the condition can be managed with early detection through normal doctor checkups. He encouraged diet and exercise to stave MASH off.

"It’s manageable with early detection," he said. "So, go to your doctor and get your normal checkups like you always do. Diet and exercise are always the big thing."

Marino said that one of the things that have helped him best has been staying positive and taking care of himself.

"There’s one thing I always take away from football, athletics and sports: that’s being positive," he said. "Look forward and look for answers and see what you can do and how you can be the best you can be. I would say I understood this is an issue, they let me know. But the biggest part is that it is manageable and it’s dealing with that. 

"Once again, having that great attitude and doing the things you need to do to take care of yourself. There’s a lot of examples of that in everybody’s life, there really are."

We hope Marino continues his valiant battle against this terrible condition.