In honor of his son, Tyler’s diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, football legend Earl Campbell will host the inaugural Flavors of Austin on Saturday February 25, 2012 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Texas Federation Women’s Club Mansion in Austin, Texas.  The exclusive benefit will raise awareness and funds for The National MS Society.

Flavors will feature food and drinks from some of Austin’s award-winning restaurants, football stars, entertainment and a fantastic auction.  Members of the NFL’s Hall of Fame who are slated to attend include Jim Brown, Joe Greene, Tony Dorsett, Ted Hendricks and Dave Casper.

In December of 2007, Tyler Campbell, youngest son of Earl, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupting the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.  Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

At the time of his diagnosis, Tyler was a Running Back at San Diego State University.  He continued to play his senior season, but because he feared being a distraction, Tyler chose not to tell anyone on the team about his disease.  Although MS has put a stop to his dream of becoming a professional athlete, Tyler has embraced MS, and dedicated his life to raising awareness and helping others who struggle daily from the disease.

The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now, to move together toward a world free of Multiple Sclerosis.  They help each person address the challenges of living with MS through their 50-state network of chapters.  The MS Society helps fund cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, and provides programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

Tyler Rose unveils
“The Unstoppable Earl Campbell”

NFL Hall of Fame member and Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, unveils The Unstoppable Earl Campbell tribute limited edition art from Warner Bros. This exceptional piece, features “The Tyler Rose” from his days as a University of Texas Longhorn, alongside famous Warner Bros. Looney Tunes characters.  Through the Pro Player Foundation, Earl has partnered with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a portion of the proceeds from the piece willbenefit this organization in honor of his son Tyler, who was diagnosed with MS in 2007.  The Unstoppable Earl Campbell can be purchased here.

“We are honored to partner with the Pro Player Foundation and the Campbell family to help create a world free of MS,” said Mark Neagli, Regional Executive Vice President, National MS Society. “Through this alliance, we hope to further broaden awareness of a disease which affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S and more than 2.1 million worldwide. Earl and Tyler have demonstrated unwavering support to the cause, and it's a privilege to work with them for this one-of-a-kind fundraising opportunity.”

Earl, the most revered and feared running back of his time, is featured in these numbered limited editions, available as both a fine art lithograph and a hand-painted cel. He is a part of American animation art history, joining an elite group of sports legends including Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Derek Jeter, Tim Wakefield and Drew Brees, who have all been featured in a Warner Bros. sports limited edition. Each piece of art, is hand-signed by Earl and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Information about the story behind the art can be found here.

Tyler Campbell has become an active ambassador for the National MS Society and is passionate about raising awareness to help others living with the disease. “I view my MS diagnosis as a blessing. I now have the opportunity to share my experience to help others living with this disease and make an impact on the MS community.”

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and over 2.1 million worldwide.

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't.  The Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.   To learn more about MS, or for more information about the National MS Society, please visit their website www.nationalmssociety.org