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Cowboys Legend Diagnosed With End-Stage Kidney Disease – Revealing 4 Harmful Habits Fans Suddenly Realize They All Have

Dallas, Texas – Sad news has shaken the NFL world as Bob Lilly, the man known as “Mr. Cowboy”, confirmed that he has been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. At 85, the once unstoppable defensive icon of the Dallas Cowboys now faces the toughest opponent of his life — his own body.

Fifty years later, Bob Lilly remembers playing after JFK assassination |  FOX Sports

In a heartfelt interview aired on local television, Lilly said softly:

“I used to think my body could never fail me. But it turns out, it wasn’t the big hits that got me — it was the little habits I ignored for years.”

4 Harmful Habits Bob Lilly Confessed – and Why They Hit So Close to Home for Fans

  1. Drinking Too Little Water, Too Much Coffee or Soda
    Lilly admitted that for years, he replaced water with soda and coffee. “I thought I was just staying awake,” he said, “but I was slowly wearing my kidneys out.” Many fans could relate — especially those who live on caffeine every day.

  • Relying on Painkillers for Minor Aches
    The former defensive tackle revealed that he regularly used painkillers after games and long workouts. “It started with small pills,” he said, “but over time, those little pills took a toll on my body.”

  • High-Salt Diet and Low Vegetables
    Like many athletes and fans, Lilly loved savory food — steaks, burgers, and salty snacks. “I didn’t realize how much salt I was consuming until it was too late.” Doctors now confirm that years of sodium overload severely stressed his kidneys.

  • Skipping Annual Checkups
    Lilly confessed that he rarely went for medical exams because he “felt fine.” But that false confidence led to delayed detection. “If I had gone in just once a year, maybe things would be different.”

  • Message to Fans Around the World

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    In the closing moments of the interview, the Cowboys icon turned serious, urging fans to take action:

    “If I could go back, I’d take care of my body the way I used to take care of the football. Don’t wait until your body speaks — listen before it has to shout.”

    He encouraged all Cowboys fans and the wider NFL community to drink more water, eat clean, get regular checkups, and never ignore their body’s warning signs.

    The Final Battle of “Mr. Cowboy”

    Bob Lilly, who helped lead the Cowboys to Super Bowl VI victory and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, is once again showing the world what true toughness means — not on the field, but in life.

    Even as his health declines, he continues to attend games, meet young players, and inspire fans with his trademark courage.

    “I’ve been knocked down hundreds of times on the field,” he smiled, “but I always got back up. This time will be no different.”

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