Dan Marino Breaks Silence on Liver Disease Diagnosis

For over a decade, the legendary quarterback quietly battled a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, but now, he's finally pulling back the curtain on the deeply personal struggle that began with nothing more than feeling tired.

NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino revealed in a bombshell September 15, 2025, interview with People that he was diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) after a routine medical check-up in 2007.

And the most startling part? There were no warning signs. He just felt tired.

"I wasn't really working out as much as I should — because I used to work out when I played all the time and I kind of got away from that a little bit," the 64-year-old admitted, looking back on the unexpected health scare.

A Dangerous Diagnosis Hiding in Plain Sight

At the time, Dan brushed off the fatigue as age or lifestyle, never imagining that he was harboring a silent liver disease once known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The condition occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver and can eventually progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and irreversible damage if left untreated.

With the shocking diagnosis came a wake-up call, and Dan says he's been relying on his closest inner circle to keep him grounded and on track.

Now, Terry Kirby, his longtime friend and former NFL teammate, serves as his personal trainer at a local gym. Meanwhile, Claire Marino, Dan’s devoted wife, has become the quarterback of his new health game plan, joining him for walks, bike rides, and every critical doctor's appointment.

"It's the people that love you and you love them," Dan expressed. "It feels like a little village."

A Lifestyle Overhaul

The athlete also admitted during the conversation that his eating habits spiraled after retiring, fueling the development of MASH. Once his playing days were over, the structure of regular weigh-ins vanished, and so did the discipline.

Today, he credits his doctor’s urgent guidance with helping him take back control. The solution was a strict Mediterranean diet and a hard pass on former indulgences like alcohol, candy, and pizza.

He’s now part of Novo Nordisk’s Unordinary Stories campaign, a platform where retired athletes candidly share the health battles they’ve kept hidden for far too long. Dan hopes his story will shine a light on MASH and inspire others to take action before it’s too late.

"I get the ultrasounds and all that every year and so far it's been fine," he revealed, adding that he believes his condition will only get better.

The Village Behind the Man and the Scandal Behind the Smile

Dan and Claire’s family includes six children: Daniel, Joseph, Michael, Alexandra, Lia, and Niki Lin Marino — the latter two adopted from China. But his private life has not been without controversy and secrets.

In a stunning revelation that rocked his carefully crafted image, the New York Post revealed in 2013 that the retired quarterback fathered a secret love child during a tryst with former CBS Sports colleague Donna Savattere.

"They had an affair, and she had a baby," a source disclosed at the time. "Everything was on the down-low and secretive."

As Dan was meant to appear on that year's Super Bowl program, CBS attempted to defuse the scandal with a curt statement. "Dan has said all there is to say on this matter, and will be in his usual role on our broadcast Super Bowl Sunday," it read.

But the athlete didn't deny a thing.

"This is a personal and private matter. I take full responsibility both personally and financially for my actions now as I did then. We mutually agreed to keep our arrangement private to protect all parties involved," he told the New York Post at the time.

A Golden Career Nearly Derailed by Whispers of Drug Use

The affair's reveal was particularly surprising, as Dan had always had a pristine public image, except for his early years. During the 1983 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers, his hometown team, passed on selecting him after rumors surfaced about his alleged recreational substance use.

A 1992 report from the Observer-Reporter cited then-coach Chuck Noll's appearance on a talk show on WTAE-AM, where he candidly admitted that gossip, not facts, influenced the decision. "This was a time when no one (in the NFL) knew anything about drugs at all," he said.

The Steelers instead picked lineman Gabe Rivera, and other teams followed suit. Dan, once considered a top prospect, shockingly became the next-to-last pick in the first round, eventually landing with the Miami Dolphins, where he would go on to shatter records and silence his doubters.

Additionally, despite the swirling rumors, nothing was ever confirmed, and Dan never failed a drug test during his career.