Boxing legend Mike Tyson is using his platform ahead of Super Bowl 60 to address a personal and national health issue in a 30-second ad sponsored by the nonprofit MAHA Center. The ad highlights Tyson’s journey with weight struggles and his message about the dangers of processed foods.
In the ad, Tyson shared that at one point he weighed nearly 350 pounds due to his addiction to processed foods and experienced severe self-hate. “I was so fat and nasty – I would eat anything,” Tyson said, later adding, “I had so much self-hate when I was like that.” He emphasized the serious health risks of processed foods, saying they can lead to obesity and even death.
Tyson explained that his fight for health extends beyond himself: “I’m not fighting for a belt. I’m fighting for our health.” The ad ends with Tyson eating an apple and encouraging viewers to visit RealFood.gov for guidance on healthy eating.
Health experts largely support the ad’s message. Obesity medicine specialist Dr. Holly F. Lofton noted that excessive consumption of processed foods can contribute to high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and obesity. She emphasized that weight discussions should be approached with sensitivity and that individuals struggling with weight or mental health should seek guidance from healthcare providers.
Tyson also shared a personal tragedy, revealing that his sister died from a heart attack linked to her battle with obesity at just 25 years old. This underscores the seriousness of his message.
The MAHA Center, aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement, said the ad is part of a nationwide campaign that includes taxi ads featuring Tyson alongside the slogan, “Processed Food Kills.” The campaign coincides with new federal dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to limit highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Tyson’s ad, calling it “the most important message in Super Bowl history,” and reiterated, “We don’t have to be the sickest country in the developed world. The answer is simple: EAT REAL FOOD.”
Public health officials note that while Tyson’s advice is valuable, equal access to nutritious foods is critical to addressing obesity and diet-related health risks. Environmental and mental health factors also play a role, and the combination of diet and lifestyle changes is key to sustainable health improvements.
Tonight, Tyson’s ad will air during one of the most-watched broadcasts in the United States, bringing attention to the impact of processed foods, the importance of healthier eating, and the personal stakes involved in this public health fight.
