It\u2019s OK to not be OK.<\/p>\n
Every conversation about mental health includes that important statement and a message that tough times don\u2019t last, things will get better and help is available.<\/p>\n
The NFL<\/a> and the rest of society have come a long way in dealing with mental wellness. The stigma surrounding it has changed. The \u201csuck it up\u201d and \u201ctough it out\u201d mentality are long gone.<\/p>\n Players are encouraged to prioritize their mental well-being. They\u2019re told to seek professional support if needed. They have more resources available to them now. The NFL and NFL Players Association in 2019 made it a requirement to have a licensed behavioral health clinician on the staff of each team.<\/p>\n The Indianapolis Colts launched \u201cKicking The Stigma\u201d in 2020, the Irsay family\u2019s initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders. Breaking down barriers surrounding mental health was a personal mission for Colts owner Jim Irsay, who died in May at age 65. His youngest daughter,\u00a0Kalen Jackson<\/a>, is leading the cause and has talked openly about dealing with anxiety.<\/p>\n Many former and current players have opened up about their personal struggles in an effort to raise more awareness about a topic that used to be a silent illness.<\/p>\n Former Eagles star Brian Dawkins used the platform of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 to share publicly about his battle with depression. Dawkins overcame suicidal thoughts to become one of the greatest safeties in the history of the sport. Now, he\u2019s on a crusade to educate people about mental wellness.<\/p>\n \u201cI have grown leaps and bounds because of the things that I\u2019ve gone through, and that\u2019s one of those things I went through,\u201d Dawkins said on the stage after receiving his gold jacket. \u201cWhen I say, went through, that means I came on the other side of it. So for those who are going through it right now, there\u2019s hope. You do have hope. There is something on the other side of this. Don\u2019t get caught up where you are. Don\u2019t stay where you are. Keep moving. Keep pushing through.\u201d<\/p>\n Again, it\u2019s OK to not be OK.<\/p>\n Sadly, this message doesn\u2019t always get through to someone who needs to hear it the most.<\/p>\n On Thursday, the NFL mourned the loss of Dallas Cowboys<\/a> defensive end\u00a0Marshawn Kneeland<\/a>. Police in a Dallas suburb say the 24-year-old Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing the scene of an accident on foot.<\/p>\n Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott lost his older brother, Jace, by suicide in 2020. Teammate Solomon Thomas\u2019<\/a> older sister Ella took her own life in January 2018 at 24 years old.<\/p>\n Thomas, a first-round pick in 2017, had just completed his first season with the 49ers<\/a>. His sister\u2019s loss led to anxiety, depression and sadness.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish you knew it was going to be (OK),\u201d Thomas wrote on Instagram above a photo of Kneeland. \u201cI wish you knew the pain wouldn\u2019t last and how loved you are. I wish you knew how bad we wanted you to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe family of a Dallas Cowboys player who died overnight is breaking their silence. In a post, they confirmed the death of Marshawn Kneeland. They called him kind, determined, humble, and full of love. DPS says Kneeland died by suicide after a chase in Collin County. NBC 5’s Meredith Yeomans has a new video from that chase, and how Kneeland’s being remembered.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n News of Kneeland\u2019s death hit hard for players and coaches across the league.<\/p>\n \u201cIt hurts your heart,\u201d Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard said in Tampa Bay\u2019s locker room. \u201cThis game is great and everything; it is one of everybody\u2019s childhood dreams to come and play at this level, but that is the real-life stuff people go through. You just never know, so (it) puts things in perspective for you every day that you walk into this building, being grateful and just checking on your brothers as well, make sure everything is OK with them mentally. This game is a lot on us and people tend to forget the real-life aspect of it. It hurts your heart to see.\u201d<\/p>\n A second-round pick in 2024, Kneeland scored a touchdown after recovering a blocked punt on Monday night against Arizona. It was a highlight moment in what seemed to be a promising career.<\/p>\n Tragically, he\u2019s gone.<\/p>\n Nobody has to suffer alone, there’s plenty of help available and it’s OK to not be OK.<\/p>\n \tIf you or someone you know is in crisis, call\u00a0or text\u00a0988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline\u00a0or chat live at\u00a0988lifeline.org<\/a> — callers will be connected with trained counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com\/resources<\/a>\u00a0for additional\u00a0support.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died early Thursday from an apparent suicide following a welfare call at his Plano home, police say. By all accounts, loved ones and those who knew him were worried about his mental health and there was a desperate search to find him late Wednesday night.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s OK to not be OK. 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