BEAVER FALLS — Football and diabetes aren't supposed to mix.

But some people are able to make it work. Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is one. Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendall Simmons is another.

Add Slippery Rock High graduate and Geneva College defensive end Dan Dillman to that list.

Dillman was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 11. He was playing organized football them and he hasn't stopped playing since.

"I've been playing since I was 8," Dillman said. "I was diagnosed at a church camp in Prospect when I was 11.

"I had lost 30 pounds, was tired all the time — I had all the symptoms. The nurse knew what I had."

Dillman was sent to Children's Hospital that night and remained there for five days. When he got out, he resumed his football activities.

"I used to take four or five insulin shots a day," he said. "I still take three a day, only I've been wearing an insulin pump for the past two years."

When he's practicing or playing football, or taking a shower, Dillman takes the pump off. Over time, he's learned how to monitor his blood-sugar level.

"It gets frustrating at times because I have to constantly pay attention to how I'm feeling when I'm on the field," Dillman said. "But I love football. Pitt had a nose guard a few years ago who played with (diabetes). He took 13 or 14 injections a day to play.

"Guys in the NFL do it. If they can do it, I can do it."

Gene DeMarco has been Geneva's head football coach for 17 years and has coached two players with diabetes.

He described Dillman as "one of the toughest kids I've ever coached."

Dillman is a 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior defensive end who started for the Golden Tornadoes as a sophomore. He recorded 24 tackles, including 13 solos, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

Geneva won its final four games a year ago to finish at 5-5.

"We have to watch the physical stress on him, especially practicing in the heat," DeMarco said. "But he knows how to monitor himself and we have two certified trainers and three or four others in that field always out there with us."

Dillman checks his blood-sugar level at halftime of every game. If it's low, he drinks a bottle of Gatorade to return it to normal.

He's had two seizures since being diagnosed. One occurred when he was 14. The other occurred a month and a half ago."

"I passed out and hit my head on the counter," Dillman recalled. "I woke up and there were four or five EMT's around me. I was embarrassed that I was careless enough to let that happen.

"I don't take any chances anymore. I monitor myself all the time."

And he's forcing opponents to monitor him.

"Dan's quickness off the ball is so impressive," DeMarco said. "Whether offenses put one or two blockers on him, he'll find the hole and plug it up. He refuses to be blocked.

"He's a great example for young kids who may be facing some sort of obstacle in life," he added. "If you want to do something bad enough, you can go do it."