BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. today announced a new partnership with Tedy’s Team Foundation to promote Stroke Awareness Month in May, using the platform of professional bass fishing to educate anglers and fans about stroke prevention and the importance of recognizing warning signs. As part of the partnership, Tedy’s Team will serve as the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray, May 7-10. In conjunction with the tournament, a 5K race and raffle will be held, with all proceeds benefiting Tedy’s Team and its mission to raise awareness and support stroke prevention efforts.
Tedy’s Team, founded by former NFL linebacker, three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and stroke survivor Tedy Bruschi and his wife Heidi, is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting stroke survivors and advocating for education around stroke prevention and recovery. The organization has worked nationwide to empower individuals with knowledge of stroke warning signs and the importance of immediate medical response.
The event will be a focal point for awareness efforts, with anglers, fans and attendees encouraged to wear red during one day of the tournament to show support for stroke awareness and those affected by stroke.
A central component of the awareness campaign is educating fans on the BE FAST warning signs of stroke — Balance difficulties, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911. Recognizing these symptoms quickly and taking immediate action can save lives and significantly improve outcomes, making education a critical part of the partnership’s mission.
“We’re proud to partner with Bassmaster for the upcoming Lake Murray Elite event,” said Tedy Bruschi, Co-Founder of Tedy’s Team Foundation. “This collaboration allows us to engage with a passionate community while raising critical awareness about stroke prevention and the warning signs everyone should know.”
The partnership carries special meaning within the B.A.S.S. organization. B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson, a stroke survivor, has been a strong advocate for raising awareness and hopes to use the Bassmaster platform to make a difference beyond the water.
“Partnering with Tedy’s Team is incredibly special for me,” said Chase Anderson, B.A.S.S. CEO. “As a stroke survivor, I’ve experienced how quickly a stroke can occur and how important it is to recognize the warning signs and act fast. A message I would like to share with the bass fishing community is that Stroke is Preventable, Treatable and Reversible. Tedy Bruschi and the Tedy’s Team Foundation do an outstanding job promoting stroke awareness and the importance of immediate action. I was fortunate that the severity of my symptoms led to quick medical attention, but that’s not the case for many, as strokes often begin with subtle warning signs. I’ve stayed close with the medical team who helped save my life, and that experience continues to drive my passion for raising awareness. I met Tedy at the Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am and was inspired by his commitment to promote stroke awareness. I’m proud to work together and engage our anglers and fans throughout May to make a meaningful impact far beyond the water.”
Through the Lake Murray Elite event and additional activations throughout May, B.A.S.S. and Tedy’s Team will work together to share educational messaging around stroke symptoms, prevention and the importance of quick response. The initiative will leverage Bassmaster’s reach across events, digital platforms and social media to connect with millions of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.
“This partnership represents an opportunity to use the power of our sport to deliver an important message,” said Phillip Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of B.A.S.S. “Our anglers and fans are a tight-knit community, and when we come together around a cause like this, we can make a meaningful impact. Working with Tedy’s Team allows us to raise awareness in a way that’s authentic, personal and far-reaching.”
The Tedy’s Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray will showcase the world’s best anglers competing on one of South Carolina’s premier fisheries while also serving as a platform to promote a life-saving message.
For more information on Stroke Awareness Month and Tedy’s Team, visit Bassmaster.com and Tedysteam.org.