About 1 in 6 American adults report having migraine or other severe headaches, according to the journal Headache. Migraine can affect anyone, including well-known athletes and Olympians.

Migraine attacks can be tough to manage. Knowing that even top athletes experience them can be reassuring for people living with this neurological disorder. Below, we share the stories of seven notable professional athletes who’ve made their mark in sports while living with migraine.

1. Serena Williams

Serena Williams is one of the most accomplished tennis players in the world. She began playing tennis professionally at just 14 years old.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams told People magazine that her once-mild migraine attacks became “debilitating.” She said the stress of working from home while managing her career and raising her child was a “major” migraine trigger.

Williams has been open about the challenges of living with an “invisible” illness. “Migraine isn’t a knee injury — it’s something you can’t physically see,” she said in 2020. “People are like, ‘I don’t see swelling. I don’t see bruising. Tough it out.’ I got used to playing through the pain.”

People living with migraine may also recognize Williams from her work with ubrogepant (Ubrelvy), a prescription medication for acute migraine treatment. Williams has been a spokesperson for the brand since 2020 and has been vocal about how migraine affects her life.

“Migraine attacks are debilitating — and no one should have to endure them in their day-to-day life,” Williams said when the partnership was announced. “I hope sharing my story will provide relief to others who suffer from migraine attacks, too.”

2. Ryan Murphy

Ryan Murphy is a three-time Olympian and a standout member of Team USA’s swim team. He’s also been open about living with migraine. During the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics, Murphy worked with U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee partners to share his story of managing the condition while competing at the highest level.

“Yeah, honestly, the hardest part about migraines is how unexpected it is,” Murphy told USA Today in 2021. “It comes at inopportune times mostly for me. A lot of the time, migraines come as a result of stress, so when I have a lot going on, and then you couple that with the migraines, it is a little bit tough to deal with.”

3. Terrell Davis

For NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, migraine has been a lifelong challenge. Davis was drafted into the NFL by the Denver Broncos in 1995 and went on to become one of the league’s most legendary football players. His career includes 78 games, seven seasons, three Pro Bowls, and a 2017 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

One of his most memorable games — the 1998 Super Bowl — was nearly derailed by an attack. Davis realized just before kickoff that he’d forgotten to take his preventive medication during his pregame meal.

The resulting migraine forced him to sit out the game’s second quarter, but he returned to the field after halftime. “Once it happened, I wasn’t going to let it rob me of my chance to be me for that day because I could never live past that,” he recalled. “I was like, there is no tomorrow — this is it.”

4. Aly Raisman

Former American gymnast and three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman had a remarkable career before retiring in 2020. The Massachusetts native competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, winning six Olympic medals. She also competed in the 2010, 2011, and 2015 World Championships, earning two gold, one silver, and one bronze.

One of Raisman’s lesser-known strengths is her ability to keep going despite chronic (ongoing) pain. Since she was a teenager, she’s lived with common symptoms of migraine, including neck pain, light sensitivity, nausea, and fatigue. At first, she thought symptoms such as head pain were the result of wearing tight hairstyles.

After being diagnosed with migraine, Raisman said, she felt validated and relieved. Since then, she has prioritized self-care and consistent treatment to help her feel her best.

5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — an NBA all-time leading scorer, New York Times bestselling author, and U.S. Cultural Ambassador — is a celebrated basketball player and American icon.

Abdul-Jabbar’s migraine attacks began when he was 15. After his diagnosis, he visited several healthcare professionals and underwent a variety of diagnostic tests. He made intentional changes to his eating and exercise routines to help manage his symptoms, all while building a 20-season career and earning six NBA titles.

6. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade is a professional basketball star and a two-time Olympic medalist, one gold and one bronze. Many fans might remember him for the tinted goggles he once wore on the court, but he’s best known for his impressive record as a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion.

Wade’s goggles, which he debuted in 2011, weren’t a fashion statement — they were meant to limit bright lights that triggered his migraine attacks. He’d lived with migraine since childhood and had tried many treatments over the years. Despite the medical reason, the NBA eventually asked him to stop wearing the goggles during games.

“There are different levels of migraine,” Wade once told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s not a good thing. It affects more than just your head. It affects your body, your energy, your eyes. It affects your attitude, of course. It’s unfortunate. But I’ve learned how to manage.”

7. Gail Devers

Gail Devers won three Olympic gold medals and is a decorated member of Team USA’s track and field team. In addition to her Olympic success, she has earned multiple world championships.

In 1991, Devers was diagnosed with Graves’ disease — an autoimmune thyroid condition — and has openly shared her experience living with it. Before her diagnosis, she had debilitating migraine attacks while training for the 1988 Olympic Games. Despite these challenges, she went on to win three gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and continued competing at an elite level until retiring in 2007.

Find Your Team

On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How do you stay focused on your goals while living with migraine attacks? Let others know in the comments below.