SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and NFL Alumni Health are again using one of the nation’s largest sporting events to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, partnering for a third consecutive year to deliver the message “One Pill Can Kill.”
According to a Feb. 3 press release, the collaboration coincides with Super Bowl activities and supports the DEA’s broader Fentanyl Free America effort, which focuses on reducing demand for fentanyl and increasing public education about the risks associated with counterfeit pills.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is frequently pressed into fake pills made to resemble prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Adderall, the DEA said. The drug is also commonly mixed into substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, often without users’ knowledge. Officials warn that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal.
The DEA noted a decline in fentanyl-related poisoning deaths since the height of the crisis. In 2024, nearly 50,000 deaths were attributed to fentanyl, down from almost 73,000 in 2023. Despite the decrease, synthetic opioids remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 44, according to the agency.
“This is the deadliest drug crisis our nation has ever faced,” DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said in the release. He said the partnership with NFL Alumni Health is intended to encourage conversations among parents, coaches, and teammates that could help prevent overdoses and save lives.
NFL Alumni Health leaders said former professional players are using their visibility to reach families and communities with prevention messages. Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, along with former NFL players Garrison Hearst and Kyle Richardson, are participating in media appearances, school visits, and outreach events around the Super Bowl host city to promote fentanyl awareness.
The DEA also highlighted enforcement efforts, reporting that agents seized more than 47 million fentanyl pills and nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2025, an amount the agency said equates to hundreds of millions of potentially deadly doses removed from circulation.
Officials are encouraging the public to learn more about fentanyl risks, talk openly with youth about counterfeit pills, and access educational resources available through the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign.
