It isn't easy to receive a potentially life-changing diagnosis at 13 years old.

That's what Vikings tight end Ben Yurosek experienced as a middle school student, when doctors discovered he had Type 1 Diabetes.

"I remember my mom started crying," Yurosek said now. "I didn't fully understand the severity of it at the time. I just knew, 'Hey, you've gotta watch when you eat something.' But this truly shaped my life and helped me be the athlete I am today."

Though Type 1 Diabetes often is genetic, it hadn't previously affected anyone in the family and hadn't been on the radar. Yurosek recalled playing in a basketball tournament and "feeling off" throughout the weekend; then not long after, he enjoyed junk food at a send-off party for the Yuroseks as they prepared to move back to California.

"Pizza, a shake, all that stuff, and I started cramping … so my mom was like, 'OK, we've got to go to the hospital, get everything checked," Yurosek explained. "And then that's when they told us."

As with any new diagnosis, there's a period of adjustment and understanding. But Yurosek learned quickly how to manage his condition through insulin therapy, regular blood glucose monitoring, a healthy and balanced diet, and physical activity — the latter of which already was a regular part of his everyday life.

Yurosek didn't look at being diabetic as a setback; rather, he called it his superpower.

After all, how many teenage athletes are quite that in-tune with nutrition and blood-sugar understanding?

"It helped my knowledge of carbohydrates, fats, protein and even my mental math, too," he laughed. "You have to do a lot of calculations, so it helped me with school a little bit, also.

"You really get to know your body better than anyone else," Yurosek said. "It can definitely affect you in certain ways, and it's a little pain-in-the-butt at the end of the day, but it helps me to know exactly what's in my body and gives me those [advantages] a lot of other guys don't necessarily have."

Yurosek followed the stories of Type 1 diabetic athletes who had excelled and reached the highest level of football, including former Bears QB Jay Cutler and Baltimore's Mark Andrews, a fellow tight end.

It seemed only fitting that midway through his rookie NFL season, Yurosek had the opportunity following the Vikings-Ravens game in Week 11 to connect with Andrews and thank him for being such an advocate for the disease.

Yurosek hopes to inspire young people the way Andrews' efforts encouraged him.

"There have been a few instances, whether through Instagram or even in person, you know, kids have hit me up [who also have Type 1 diabetes], and I enjoy talking to them and having this exact conversation — it's a superpower, and you can use it to help you in so many ways," he said. "Not only do you monitor exactly what's in your body as an athlete, but you have that mindset that nothing can hold you back."

Yurosek noted an instance during his collegiate career when his mom was contacted by another mother whose son had just received a Type 1 diagnosis. The tight end happily FaceTimed with the young man and sent him a pair of autographed football gloves.

"He was even younger than I was," Yurosek said, "and that can be really tough. So it's those little things where if I can offer a little inspiration, it's important."

It's exactly that mindset that motivated Yurosek to represent Breakthrough T1D for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign. The Vikings tight end will wear custom-painted cleats this weekend when Minnesota plays Seattle.

Though he isn't always outspoken about his diagnosis, Yurosek is grateful for the platform he's been given and is excited not only to spread awareness about Type 1 diabetes but also to continue supporting others walking a similar journey.

"Diabetes doesn't define me as a person, but it is a major part of my story," he said. "Having this opportunity to express my cause, and hopefully other Type 1 diabetics will see this and be impacted, it's such an honor.

"The NFL does an amazing job, the Vikings do an amazing job prioritizing this, and I think it's just an incredible opportunity," Yurosek added.