22 Male Athletes Speaking Out about Depression
Depression does not mean weakness. You, too, can reach out and get better. 22 male athletes talk about their experiences with depression.
Depression does NOT mean weakness. You, too, can reach out and get better.
Fame and fortune don’t make you immune to depression. Like cancer, diabetes, or other health problems, depression can happen to anyone. Though rarely talked about in the world of sports, professional athletes are now sharing their stories of battling depression, shining a light on a prevalent and important health issue in sports and beyond.
Asking for help with anything can be difficult, the good news is that help is available. Learn how to Build a Support Team or provide support to a friend.
For more information and resources for athletes on mental health, check out UBCAthletesHub.ca.
1. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Photo by Eva Rinaldi, Flickr
“I found that with depression one of the most important things you could realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it… I wish I had someone at that time who could just pull me aside and [say], ‘Hey, it’s going to be okay.'”
Actor, producer and professional wrestler, US
One of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time
“How a Bout of Depression Led to Dwayne Johnson’s Career Defining Moment” (Video)
2. Terry Bradshaw
Photo by Rick Stewart, Getty Images
“I thought maybe I could help people with awareness, help men get the strength and courage… I have run into people who have made fun of me, some of my colleagues. I’ve had people try to make light of it. Depression is not something you make light of. It’s serious.”
NFL quarterback and sports announcer, US
4x Super Bowl Champion, 2x Super Bowl MVP
“Depression-awareness campaign aids Bradshaw too”
3. Joey Votto
Photo by Hayden Schiff, Flickr
“I’m seeing a couple of doctors and speaking to people and letting people know what I’m dealing with, how difficult the grieving process is.”
(On depression after the sudden passing of his father)
MLB first basemen, Canada
National League MVP, Canadian Athlete of the Year
“Joey Votto Makes His Personal Demons Public”
4. Ian Thorpe
Photo by Morne de Klerk, Getty Images
“It’s like a weight is pressing down on you. There are days when you just can’t get out of bed. You cannot face the world. You tell yourself simple things like: ‘Just get to the kitchen and get a glass of water.’ But not being able to do something so basic is frightening.”
Swimmer, Australia
5x time Olympic Gold Medalist
“Ian Thorpe: ‘I was surrounded by people but had this intense loneliness”
5. Andy Baddeley
Photo by Michael Steele, Getty Images
“Talking and trusting close friends continues to help. So that’s the why I am sharing this, because if anybody reads what I have written and it strikes a chord, I hope it encourages them – encourages you – to talk to someone.”
Middle-distance runner, UK
Qualified for 1500m finals in Beijing 2008 Olympics
“Depression: sharing my story”
6. Ricky Hatton
Photo by Scott Heavey, Getty Images
“We’re out of our comfort zones with depression. I certainly was and whenever I have bad days now I speak to someone to get it off my chest. I have no shame telling that and that’s why I’m here today.”
Professional boxer, UK
Multiple world titles at light-welterweight, one at welterweight
“Ricky Hatton: ‘I tried to kill myself several times'”
7. John Kirwan
Photo by Russell Cheyne, Getty Images
“Getting help [for depression], for someone like me who saw getting help as a weakness, was a big step. I did an awareness campaign and that first step was really difficult for me. I thought people were going to think I was mad.”
Rugby union coach and player, New Zealand
One of the highest try scorers in international rugby union history
“Depression: Top sports stars not immune”
8. Clarke Carlisle
Photo by Pete Norton, Getty Images
“I wasn’t doing the things that I should have been doing to maintain my mental well-being and once you start getting into a spiral of secrecy and masking your emotions and running away then it is exactly that; you spiral down and it’s incredibly difficult to stop.”
Professional footballer, defender, UK
Former Chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association
“Clarke Carlisle on Depression”
9. Dan Carcillo
Photo by DTKindler Photo, Flickr
“But that fall, when the new season started, I went through the same dark cycle that I witnessed firsthand with Monty [friend and teammate who died by suicide]. I went in with my eyes completely open, but I just couldn’t stop it. I started isolating myself. I felt like I didn’t have a purpose. I fell into a deep and dark depression.”
NHL left winger, Canada
2x Stanley Cup Champion
“Players’Tribune: The Fourth Period”
10. Greg Stiemsma
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE, Getty Images
“But once I got through it, I had some techniques. Set little goals for yourself and build from the positives. Little things like get up, eat breakfast, go to this class, start a book, go shopping for something, as small as those things seem, when it was at its worst point you don’t even think of doing stuff like that. But once I got things turned around, it kind of started rolling on its own and it kind of had a snowball effect but in a positive way.”
NBA Player, US
6’11” center, known for his defense and shot blocking
“Stiemsma’s battle with depression, and the man who saved him”
11. Oscar de la Hoya
Photo by Chris Polk, Getty Images
“This is the biggest fight of my life … I could put all my opponents in one ring and battle all of them, but this monster is going to be the toughest fight of my life.”
Professional boxer, Mexico/US
10x world titles in six different weight classes
“Depression, Addiction a One-Two Punch for Oscar de la Hoya”
12. Shea Emry
Photo by Rene Johnston/Toronto Star, Getty Images
“I want to be the most confident, strong person I can be for my son but at some point I might falter and that’s fine. Men must realize there’s no shame in feeling vulnerable or putting yourself out there because everyone’s going to be vulnerable at some point.”
Professional Canadian Football Player, Canada
All-star and 2x Grey Cup Champion, Founder and CEO of the WellMen Project
“Argos linebacker Shea Emry tackling his depression head-on”
13. Andrew Jensen
“Knowing that there are people that will face the struggle with me is why I get up and get moving. I have to make the first step; no one can do it for me.”
Professional Golfer, Canada
Ambassador for the Bell Let’s Talk campaign on mental health
“How I Manage the Darkness Of Depression as a Pro Athlete”
14. David Freese
Photo by Keith Allison, Flickr
“I know I had the alcohol issues in the past, but you come to realize it’s a lot deeper than that. It’s depression and anxiety issues. I had to attack the way I was thinking. I re-trained my brain by being around Mairin and getting help. The foggy feeling I always had is now lifted.”
MLB third baseman, US
World Series MVP and Champion
“David Freese, World Series hero, finds greater triumph in depression battle”
15. Larry Sanders
Photo by Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
“I want to open that door for guys… It’s hard for people in my field to respect mental health. We say that the game is 90 percent mental, but yet mental health doesn’t get the respect of, like, an ACL [knee injury].”
NBA power forward, US
15th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft
“The Battle Within Larry Sanders”
16. Michael Phelps
Photo by Ian MacNicol, Getty Images
“I remember sitting in my room for four or five days not wanting to be alive, not talking to anybody. That was a struggle for me … I reached that point where I finally realized I couldn’t do it alone”
Competitive Swimmer, US
Most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 total medals, 23 gold
“Michael Phelps Opens Up About Depression and Not Wanting ‘To Be Alive’”
17. Brandon Marshall
Photo by Rich Schultz, Getty Images
“I spent three months in the outpatient program at McLean, and in my time there, I learned the tools and skills to help me cope with my emotions. I learned different meditation techniques, and I spoke with doctors and counselors about what I was feeling to get a better understanding of where my emotions were coming from and how I could most effectively react and respond to them….Those three months changed my life.”
(On borderline personality disorder (BPD) and depression)
NFL wide receiver, US
6x All Star and Co-founder of Project 375
“The Players’ Tribune: The Stigma”
18. Oliver Bone
Photo by Clive Mason, Getty Images
“A lot of people have to accept that psychological and physical injuries are at the same level of intensity. They can do the same level of damage to somebody’s self confidence and their ability to perform.”
Sailor, Canada
Represented Canada in 2008 Olympics
“Ex-Olympian spirals into depression, calls for more mental health education in sports”
19. Frank Bruno
Photo by TOBN, Getty Images
“Being sectioned [receiving hospital inpatient mental health support] was the best thing that ever happened to me. Getting put in hospital meant I could stop, get myself sorted and come back stronger.”
(On depression and bipolar disorder)
Boxer, UK
WBC World Heavyweight Champion
“‘Depressed’ Frank Bruno back in hospital after devastating relapse in fight against bipolar disorder”
20. Jack Green
Photo by Roland Harrison/Action Plus via Getty Images
“I know talking about mental health problems is a difficult subject matter to many people, but I hope me being honest about my illness offers others some support and helps people realize they are not alone.”
Track and Field, hurdler and sprinter, UK
2x Olympian for Great Britain (twice for 400M hurdles, once for 4x400M)
“Athletics and Mental Health: My Story” (PDF)
21. Michael Yardy
Photo by Tom Shaw, Getty Images
“I don’t think you should keep it [depression] quiet… I’m not embarrassed or ashamed about what happened. I view it as an injury. If I’d have pulled a thigh muscle, it wouldn’t even be a question.”
Cricketer, UK
Sussex County Cricket Club Captain
“Michael Yardy: The biggest thing about depression is you become a very good actor”
22. Rob Krar
Photo by Alexis Martín, Flickr
“It’s something I’ve struggled with for a very long time and have been quiet about. I had this sense beforehand that a lot of people have struggled with similar things, but I didn’t quite understand the extent. I think it’s really a very common thing especially amongst runners and maybe even more so with ultrarunners. “
Ultrarunner, Canada
UltraRunning magazine, Male Ultrarunner of the Year (2013)
“Rob Krar Pre-2014 TNF EC 50 Mile Interview”
For more information and resources for athletes on mental health, check out UBCAthletesHub.ca.