As Los Angeles prepared for another NFL season, Rams legends Torry Holt, Eric Dickerson and Ivory Sully joined fans at LMU for a reminder that the most important preseason check happens away from the field. On a bright Monday at Loyola Marymount University, the Los Angeles Rams were preparing bodies, timing routes and building the chemistry required for a long NFL season. Along the edge of training camp, another kind of preparation was underway.
The Rams partnered with Edwards Lifesciences on Aug. 3 to bring its Off the Sidelines heart-health initiative directly to fans. Adults 50 and older could receive free heart valve screenings, learn about severe aortic stenosis and hear from Rams legends Torry Holt and Eric Dickerson about the value of early detection.
It gave a familiar football ritual—training camp—a purpose beyond roster decisions and preseason reps.
“The main thing about training camp is the camaraderie,” Sully said. “Football is a unique team sport.”
For Sully, who spent nine seasons in the NFL, training camp remains a reminder of the preparation that happens before the crowd arrives and the games begin. Players stretch, condition and learn how to get the most from their bodies because their work depends on it. He believes that same discipline should continue long after the uniform comes off.“This is Sézane as I have always imagined it,” founder and CEO Morgane Sézalory said.
“As we grow older—and for NFL players, growing older is a really sensitive subject—you’ve got to treat yourself right,” Sully said. “Take care of yourself every day and do the things that are there to elevate you.”
That philosophy gave the afternoon its broader purpose. Fans ages 50 and older had an opportunity to receive free screenings and learn about heart valve failure, also known as severe aortic stenosis. The condition affects approximately 2 million people in the United States, according to Off the Sidelines—enough to fill 26 football stadiums.
Heart valve disease can progress without obvious warning signs. Possible symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat and swelling in the feet or ankles. Because some people experience few or no noticeable symptoms, early detection can become a critical part of preventive care.
“If you have a chance to head something off, if you have a chance to put a couple more years on your life, or do something that will enhance everything around you and your family, why wouldn’t you do it?” Sully said.
The screening program is part of a continuing partnership between the Rams and Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences. Since launching the collaboration in 2023, the organizations have brought heart-health education and free screenings to Rams alumni, fans and Southern California communities. The goal is to make checking for heart valve disease feel as routine as monitoring blood pressure or cholesterol. The Rams have also hosted community screenings
Sully’s message carried the tone of a coach because that is still how he sees himself. Now coaching high school football at Edison High School, he urges young athletes to respect their health rather than assume youth will protect them. “I tell those guys, ‘Take care of yourself,’” he said. “You’re an athlete. Be an athlete. Be the best that you can be. Do the best for yourself that you can do.”
At 69, Sully said his own routine includes exercising several times a week and riding five miles on a stationary bike. His motivation is personal and uncomplicated. “We all have a certain amount of time, and that’s it,” Sully said. “Let’s make it the best that we can make it. Take care of your heart. Be up to date on what’s going on with your body.”
The afternoon at LMU offered fans their familiar glimpse of a team preparing for the season. Off the field, the message was equally clear: The smartest defense can begin before symptoms arrive.
For heart valve health information and future screening opportunities, visit OffTheSidelines.com
Address: 1 Loyola Marymount University Dr, Los Angeles
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of Abigail Dean / Los Angeles Rams
