For the first time, Eisen and NFL Network filmed on the St. Jude campus alongside patient families, staff and supporters, surrounded by the research hospital that his fundraising helps support
MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rich Eisen, one of the most recognizable voices in sports media, brought his iconic “Run Rich Run” 40-yard dash to the campus of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, for the first time in the event’s 21-year history, marking a milestone in a partnership that has raised more than $7 million to support the global mission of St. Jude and families facing childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. “Run Rich Run” aired today, during NFL Network’s coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Since 2015, Eisen and his national platform across television, radio and streaming have turned “Run Rich Run” into a powerful fundraising movement, helping ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
While the run is traditionally filmed at iconic football venues such as the Rose Bowl, this year it took place on the St. Jude campus in Memphis, where nearly 1,000 patients, families, researchers and staff cheered Eisen on, creating a powerful, full-circle connection between a national sports tradition and the community it supports.
“Being on the St. Jude campus for ‘Run Rich Run’ was overwhelming in the best way,” said Rich Eisen. “To see the energy and meet the families and the people working so hard to make sure parents don’t see a bill from St. Jude and their kids get the care they need, there’s no place like St. Jude. I’ll never forget it.”
NFL legends and current players, including Delanie Walker, Alex Singleton, Calvin Austin III and Joey Slye attended, highlighting the connection between football, media and purpose that has defined Eisen’s partnership with St. Jude.
“Rich has taken a tradition that NFL fans know and love and brought it directly to the patients, families, researchers, physicians, and care teams it supports each year,” said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “Having St. Jude families and staff there to cheer him on in person brought that impact into focus. It showed first-hand what his commitment makes possible — helping St. Jude advance lifesaving research and care for children in the United States and around the world.”
“Run Rich Run” included support from the NFL Play 60 initiative, which has partnered with St. Jude since 2007. In addition, Shaw Sports Turf, a division of Shaw Industries and longtime corporate partner and supporter of St. Jude, provided custom turf to transform a main thoroughfare through the campus into the setting for Eisen’s 40-yard dash.
Eisen, host of The Rich Eisen Show and a cornerstone of NFL Network, first ran the 40-yard dash at the 2005 NFL Combine. What began as a lighthearted on-air moment has grown into an annual tradition tied to the NFL Draft and one of the most anticipated segments in football media.
Moments like this highlight how platforms in sports and media can support the research and care at St. Jude, helping extend lifesaving treatments and discoveries to help more of the 400,000 children around the world who develop cancer each year.
Donate to support Rich Eisen and help advance the mission of St. Jude at StJude.org/RunRichRun.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the U.S., and it won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Kurt Rossler
901.297.3512
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