The chance to shake hands with NFL star Jim Leonhard had many men standing in line at this health expo Sunday. But Leonhard and doctors say they hope men line up for diagnostic tests as well.

“Men's health is an extremely important issue in northern Wisconsin and dealing with a lot of guys who don't like to take care of themselves,” he says. “And anytime you can have an event like this, and make so many resources available to people, it's huge.”

Leonhard, a native of the town of Tony, says he's grateful for the chance to share his expertise as a professional athlete with the New York Jets with these guys.

And doctors say having a football player gives men the incentive to take time out for their health.

“You can come in and hear Jim Leonhard talk, and oh, by the way, while you're here get screened for prostate carcinoma, pick up the cards for colon cancer, get screened for your blood pressure, your blood sugar and your cholesterol, and, by the way, we're going to do it for nothing. That's a pretty good package deal,” says Dr. Scott Carpenter, an emergency medical physician at the Flambeau Hospital Clinic in Park Falls.

Doctor Carpenter says it's important for men of all ages to not smoke, but also watch their weight and how much they drink. He says preventative care is hugely key.

“Men make one common mistake. We don’t want to go in for health care, so we don’t go in for screening, so then we get sick and then we're at the doctor all the time. And that doesn’t do anything at all for our attitudes,” he says.

That way, whether pro athlete, or average Wisconsinite, all these guys can stay in the game.

It was the third year for the men's health event held in Park Falls by the Flambeau Hospital. All screening tests were done on site and for free.