Baltimore Ravens TE Andrews Enjoying Breakout Year While Battling Type 1 Diabetes

Baltimore Ravens second-year tight end Mark Andrews is having a breakout year, leading all Ravens players in receiving yards, but he faces a hidden struggle most fans are unaware of.

"For me, it's just being thankful to be in that situation where I can go out and play a game I love and just try to protect myself, protect my teammates, and thank God," Andrews said.

Dawn White reports:

That's what goes through Andrews' mind before a game. NBC Sports ranks Andrews the eighth best tight end in the entire league.

The 23-year-old said he believes his play style is similar to that of another top tight end.

"I would say right now a guy in the league probably Travis Kelce is pretty similar," Andrews said. "I think I resemble him a little bit."

Quarterback Lamar Jackson said Andrews always finds a way to get open.

Andrews has 449 receiving yards, the fourth-most among all NFL tight ends, as well as 36 receptions and three receiving touchdowns so far during the regular season, but there's something most people wouldn't suspect about the strapping 6-foot 4-inch, 256-pound Oklahoma graduate.

"I'm eating certain things," Andrews said. "I'm doing certain things, testing my blood sugar, and just making sure at all times I'm not forgetting about it."

Andrews can never forget about his Type 1 diabetes. He got the diagnosis at 9 years old and had a near-death experience as a college freshman when his roommate found him unresponsive due to low blood sugar. It didn't stop him or his determination to succeed in football and in life.

"Continue to look after yourself. The most important thing is that you care for yourself. No one else is going to care for you like you do, so continue to do that," Andrews said. "Follow your dreams. Don't let anybody tell you can't do something just because you have diabetes. Go follow your dreams and achieve them."

Andrews monitors his diet to make sure his glucose levels don't get too high or too low.

"I've kind of been good since I was young to watch things," Andrews said. "I'm not on anything strict or anything like that, but I kind of have it in my head what works for me. I eat peanut butter a lot because it's a complex carb. That's one of the things I go to a lot before games and stuff like that because I know how it's going to react to my body."

Another component of managing the disease for Andrews is staying active in the gym and on the field.

"Football requires a lot like lifting weights, going out and playing football and running around every day. Living an active, healthy lifestyle is very important for diabetics," Andrews said.

He wears his insulin pump on his left hip.

"I wear my insulin pump at all times," Andrews said. "I unclip it during games. It's been huge for me. Technology has grown so much since the start of when I first got it. It's so easy to deal with now with things they have. The pump is just another accessory to that."

Andrews isn't letting the disease define him. He said he hopes to be an example and role model for others battling Type 1 diabetes.

"I want to be a pro, go out there every day, get better, take care of myself, stay healthy, and help this team win," Andrews said.

Andrews said he hopes his work ethic and careful management of the disease allows for more touchdowns and upward progression of his young NFL career to continue as one of the best and fastest tight ends in the league.