Dallas Goedert’s Journey with Plaque Psoriasis

• Dallas Goedert, the Super Bowl LIX champion tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, opens up about his experience with plaque psoriasis.
• Having lived with this autoimmune condition for two decades, Goedert is committed to raising awareness.
• He aims to educate NFL teammates, fans, and anyone curious about this chronic skin condition.

Dallas Goedert made headlines as a key player for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had two receptions for 27 yards.

Reflecting on the win, Goedert shared with Healthline, “It was such an incredible experience. It feels surreal, like I’m living a dream, but it’s becoming more real every day now that I’m back home.”

Now, Goedert is passionate about leveraging his fame as a football star to educate others about plaque psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disorder he was first diagnosed with at age 10.

Plaque psoriasis is the most prevalent type of psoriasis, affecting 80 to 90% of individuals with the condition.

“Growing up, I never had a role model or celebrity to look up to who was open about having psoriasis. Sharing my story is vital to me because if I can make a difference for another kid facing similar struggles, that means everything,” Goedert explained.

Understanding Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a long-lasting, systemic inflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune response.

Dr. Adam Friedman, a dermatology professor at George Washington University, emphasized, “This condition goes beyond just the visible plaques; it’s associated with joint disorders like psoriatic arthritis, increased cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.”

“Chronic inflammation linked to psoriasis can affect every organ system,” he added.

The disease results in psoriasis plaques—raised, red, and scaly patches of skin that can be itchy and painful.

Although Goedert’s psoriasis has never hindered his ability to practice or play, he mentioned that wearing pads and being in sweaty conditions can exacerbate itchiness.

“These are challenges I’ve learned to manage,” he shared. “It’s never enjoyable, but life often requires us to face difficult situations, and we just have to push through.”

The appearance of plaques can vary based on skin color.

The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that on lighter skin, plaques typically appear as raised, red patches with a silvery white layer of dead skin cells. In contrast, on darker skin, they may appear as darker, thicker patches with hues of purple, gray, or deep brown.

Contrary to common misconceptions, psoriasis is not contagious. “The plaques are a result of abnormal skin cell turnover due to inflammation, not because of an infection,” Dr. Friedman clarified. “Unfortunately, many individuals with psoriasis still face stigma and social isolation, as onlookers often misinterpret red, flaky patches as signs of an infection, which can severely affect their self-esteem and social lives.”

Goedert understands this stigma all too well. “When I was younger, I’d get spots on my skin, and classmates and teachers would ask me, ‘What’s that? Is it contagious?’ It was tough to deal with,” he recalled.

“Feeling embarrassed and being questioned about my skin was never easy.”

As a professional athlete, he still encounters similar inquiries. Early in his career, he often tried to conceal his condition.

“When the plaques were visible on my arms, I would wear long sleeves. During outdoor workouts, I’d keep my shirt on while others soaked up the sun,” Goedert reminisced.

Now, he embraces these moments as opportunities to educate others about plaque psoriasis.

“It’s crucial to inform my teammates that I have plaque psoriasis—it’s not contagious. It originates from within the body and manifests on the skin,” he stated.

Finding Effective Treatment

When Goedert first began experiencing symptoms of plaque psoriasis, his mother recognized the signs due to family history.