Football Legend Dan Marino Signs On As New Ambassador For AARP

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Apr 23, 2012, 08:00 ET

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One of the toughest and most successful players in the history of the NFL, football legend Dan Marino is known for his great work both on and off the field. Now at age 50, he is joining a new team, AARP, as their "Men's Life Ambassador." Marino will share his point of view and expertise on a variety of men's interests including health, fitness, sports, lifestyle, entrepreneurship and community service, using AARP's website, www.aarp.org, as his primary means of speaking directly to men 50+ about issues important to them.

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"AARP has a deep understanding and appreciation for the needs of Americans 50+ and they're constantly creating new programs and tools to help their members navigate the realities of life, love, and work as they get older," said Marino. "I'm looking forward to being a part of that effort by bringing my own life and experience to the table and showing my generation what 50 can look like today and help get them excited to pursue the many opportunities they have in the next stage of their lives."

"Dan embodies what it means to be a 50+ man today—he's a caregiver, a business man, a philanthropist, a family man and he cares about himself and other men leading an active, healthy lifestyle," said Emilio Pardo, Chief Brand Officer and Executive Vice President, AARP. "Having been personally committed to being an advocate for men's health and wellness for many years since retiring from the NFL, Dan's passion and versatile life experience make him the perfect choice to be our new Men's Life Ambassador."

As AARP's Men's Life Ambassador, Marino will be making regular contributions to AARP's website (www.aarp.org); personal appearances and speaking at events; and connecting with AARP's more than 37 million members through online chats and social media.

Marino attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played football and earned a degree in communications. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate degree in broadcast journalism from his Alma Mater and now serves as a prestigious Member of the Board of Trustees. For all of his achievements on the field, he may best be remembered for his philanthropic work. Dan and Claire Marino established the Dan Marino Foundation in 1992, sharing their son's story, they became one of the first families to advocate for children with autism. The Foundation has raised over $33 million funding the Dan Marino Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, and opening fall of 2012 the Dan Marino Foundation Vocational Campus. Marino joined CBS Sports in February 2002 and is a studio analyst for the CBS Television Network's NFL pre-game show, THE NFL TODAY.

"At the end of the day, age is really just a number and I want to help people—no matter what life stage they're in—realize that they can be healthy, stay fit, explore their interests and passions, and enjoy the many opportunities they have in life, in the years to come," added Marino.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, our bilingual multimedia platform for Hispanic members; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP