What's he got to be depressed about?
by Jody Jamieson
10/8/2009
It’s an interesting question. On the face of it, it can be difficult to comprehend what makes some people in the public spotlight, much less NFL players, suffer from depression. They’re playing a wonderful game for millions of dollars. They are admired and loved by the people who would play this game for free. But in the last 12 months we’ve seen depression rear its ugly head in two big name players in the NFL, and as we get closer to the start of the season, it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
Some people don’t understand what triggers depression and how it can possibly manifest itself in a sport like the NFL. Now I’m not claiming to be any expert on the subject, but having been around it more than once in my life with people close to me, it cannot be underestimated how difficult it is. But in sport, fans can be an unforgiving bunch, and when a guy who is getting paid to produce is not playing to his potential, it can irk the fans.
All the reports about Vince Young’s disappearance last year point towards depression, regardless of what his agent Major Adams tells us. Young was clearly very stressed about the reaction of the Titans fans who booed him after an interception on kickoff weekend against the Jaguars. Young went missing for a few hours the day after. Reports from Young’s therapist point to VY considering suicide before his disappearance, and who knows if that was what he planned to do when he set off that night. Thankfully whatever the case, he returned and confronted his problems.
Many people have laughed about Young’s latest comments. Young claims that not only will he be the next black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, but when he retires, he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Is that a crazy thing to say? Perhaps so. But to me, that’s the indication that maybe his mind is back on working hard and playing the game, which is a definite positive. It’s clear that he wasn’t focused on the game whatsoever last year, which is understandable. Hopefully the events of last year will be a distant memory and he’ll get back to doing what he does best and have a great career.
I have my doubts about his potential Hall of Fame credentials for obvious reasons, but I believe his self belief is a positive step in the right direction. His first pass of the Hall of Fame game on the other hand wasn’t particularly positive. His floater to Leodis McKelvin was all kinds of horrible. Vince Young has the talent. His rookie year wasn’t a fluke. If he can get his confidence back, focus on football, and fight his demons he will be ready to take over as a starter again and be effective when his time comes.
 Shawn Andrews on the other hand doesn’t seem to be fully recovered from his issues (both physical and mental) that ruined his 2008 season. I do worry that his story isn’t going to have a happy ending on the football field. Andrews is missing time from Eagles training camp, and the impression a lot of people are getting is he’s valuing his health over money, fame and football and I have no problems with that. If it all ends for him today he’ll live comfortably. Andrews though is notorious for missing camp for various different reasons, and the fact that he’s there this time is a definite positive.
The back issues he’s having to go with his troubles off the field aren’t helping him. When he pulled up with the back injury during camp he was interviewed on CSN Philadelphia and seemed he was genuinely about to burst into tears due to the frustration and it was tough to watch. Thankfully while Andrews isn’t being worked out on the field, he’s doing his thing in the gym morning, noon and night to keep the momentum going. Hopefully this is the sign of the determination to make sure 2009 is a good year for Andrews where he gets on the field and becomes the dominant offensive lineman he can be.
There is still the thought in the back of everyone’s mind that the injuries will flare up and that Andrews is unwilling to try to play through them. As mentioned before, more important people that you and I have called into question his desire to play through the niggles. However, not everyone is Jon Runyan and that’s no slight on Andrews. The fact that Runyan is about to be cleared for football activities in the next week is borderline insane on the face of it. If Andrews can’t go, Runyan may be starting in a month’s time assuming he’s resigned.
The Eagles signed Andrews’ brother Stacey to play right guard with Shawn sliding out to right tackle. Now Stacey is obviously a decent NFL player, but one wonders if this move was made partly to make things easier for Shawn.
It’s tough enough to go about your everyday life under these circumstances, without carrying the hopes of a city on your shoulders. Vince Young can be a franchise quarterback and Shawn Andrews can be a machine on the offensive line. Some people think it would be a story of failure if these guys can’t turn it around and this kills their career, but I believe it would be a great story of triumph if they both work past their problems and get back to what made them stars in the first place.
I’ll be rooting for them in the weeks and months ahead. I hope you will too.
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