Bills’ Nyheim Hines is open about family members’ struggles with muscular dystrophy and hopes to inspire people

Nyheim Hines had a challenging 2022 season when he was traded from the Colts to the Buffalo Bills after spending the first four full seasons of his NFL career in Indianapolis. But for the veteran running back, life on the field can pale in comparison to what happens off it.

Hines recently partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to launch MDA Shamrocks, the largest St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser to help children and adults living with Muscular Dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular disorders. Funds will be used to advance care for those affected, support families living with the disease, and research.

Hines knows firsthand how difficult that can be.

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Nyheim Hines works with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (Association for Muscular Dystrophy)

“The disease affects me personally and I am connected to it because my grandmother had it in 2004. A relative before that I’m not even sure about had them. She was in every generation of my family. My mom lives with it and my uncle lives with it,” Hines said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “It was really important to me to use my platform to not only give hope, but to inspire people.

“Even for me personally, just to meet other people. I never met anyone living with a struggle like me until I started working for MDA. It is very, very important to me.”

The 26-year-old explained to Fox News Digital exactly what is happening to his family members.

“Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disease, so your muscles deteriorate and there’s really every struggle,” he said. “After being with my mother, she finds it difficult to move. Chewing food is becoming increasingly difficult, something we took for granted.”

Hines said he helps his mother brush her hair, set her eyelashes, brush her teeth — many things that people without the condition sometimes take for granted.

Nyheim Hines raises awareness of the impact of muscular dystrophy. (Association for Muscular Dystrophy)

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“As a man, I never had to do that. It’s hard to do,” Hines said. “Those are the things that we take for granted, that everyone takes for granted, but someone like my mother or people afflicted with muscular dystrophy aren’t.”

Hines is nearing his sixth pro season, but with success on the field comes challenges.

When asked how he can balance it, Hines admitted he didn’t know.

“I have a great team and a great family,” he said. “In 2020/21 my mother fell and broke her hip and was hospitalized for over 100 days. To be honest it was really tough. But in these times you really lean on your friends and family and my twin sister.”

Now Hines hopes his story can help inspire others.

Nyheim Hines of the Bills celebrates after Buffalo’s 35-23 win over the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan M Bennett/Getty Images)

The MDA works with several different retailers and consumers have the option to top up their purchases or donate money to a good cause at a store.

“For more than four decades, the MDA Shamrocks Campaign has raised over $343 million and funded innovative research, care and life-changing experiences like the MDA Summer Camp,” said Jeremy Kraut-Ordover, MDA’s chief development officer, in a press release . “We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the retailers who work with us year after year, and for their loyal customers who enable the people we serve to live longer and more independently.”

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The campaign runs from the rest of February to March.