Toronto Blue Jays infielder Davis Schneider is using his platform to save lives, turning personal grief into public action.
Schneider's older brother, Steven, a 26-year-old nurse, died of an opioid overdose in November 2020 at a relative's home in New Jersey. Schneider, then unaware of the life-saving drug naloxone, now believes its presence could have prevented the tragedy.
"Probably the most devastating thing is that he was alone, he wasn't with anyone," Schneider told The Canadian Press.
Now, the 27-year-old has partnered with Emergent BioSolutions, the manufacturer of the Narcan nasal spray, as a paid spokesperson to raise awareness. The goal is straightforward: ensure naloxone is as ubiquitous as fire extinguishers or first-aid kits.
More than 55,000 Canadians have died in the opioid poisoning crisis from January 2016 to September 2025. Health experts emphasize that while naloxone kits are available for free at many pharmacies, public apathy and stigma prevent widespread adoption. Dr. Taryn Lloyd of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto notes that overdoses affect "all people from all walks of life and all ages."
Schneider now carries a naloxone kit on the road with the Jays, advocating for universal access. "He worked as a nurse up until he died. He worked every single day to help people in need," Schneider said of his brother. "I looked up to him every single day. Still do."