“I’m mentally exhausted.”
And with that, at age 29, Indianapolis Colts star quarterback walked away from the game Saturday night. Now to be sure the mental exhaustion is tied to the myriad of injuries Luck has battled, and overcome, in his career, but to be able to speak clearly and publicly about the challenges he is facing in his head says a great deal about the evolution, again, of the modern athlete and why the issue of dealing, treating and working with all aspects of mental health will continue to be a key aspect of all of sports business in the coming months and years.
We have noted the steps athletes like Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin and Kevin Love have taken to openly talk and engage in this topic of healthy mind. Chicago Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner has been very open about discussing the issue. Numerous colleges are now starting to look much more seriously about having support for athletes, the NBA has aggressively taken on the topic like never before. The advocacy group We Are All A Little Crazy has done a quality job of aggregating stories and programs, but there is more to be done. Young American tennis player Noah Rubin has also done a nice job of storytelling around the mental grind, check out this piece from CBS Sunday. and his Instagram chronicle Behind The Racquet.
While Luck’s situation is somewhat different (and he did not totally rule out returning in the future), the fact that he went through an open cathartic experience and talked quite clearly about the mental aspect of his decision was a positive message to send. It is 100 percent a personal choice, no one can walk in anyone else’s shoes, and he certainly is not the first to walk away from a sport, or any high pressure business to play a longer game of life, but it is noteworthy in its timing and in its messaging in a world where not too long ago, such an open admission would have not been treated as positively. It is certainly a relatable moment for many not even connected with the NFL, and one which will be used in storytelling time and again in the coming years.
While there quite honestly is probably some sneering and questioning of such topics by those in the old school, the open dialogue that has been created by the social media space has really been a positive for anyone in the public eye to let people into a narrative of personal issues that they choose. While it is probably cathartic for them, it can be landmark and life saving for the people, especially the young people, they can influence, and it is leading to having schools, teams, and leagues take another more healthy look at the category of health and wellness.
When you look at the athletes who have, very courageously, chosen to speak out, they come from all backgrounds and levels of success, and their messages for the most part are very authentic and sincere. In a time where “look at me” is so dominant, the messages that are being conveyed, and it’s not that easy to tell those stories for fear of some sort of backlash, can serve as great examples in character building and maturity that only a few years ago would have been swept away.
The storytelling narrative for issues like depression and anxiety has totally flipped from a stigmatized one to one of great hope, not just for those telling but for a very wide audience well away from sports; it is a message that can resonate to parents and siblings as well as coaches and teammates and is opening up a new category in health and wellness that brands can positively, if done discreetly and authentically, play into.
Having been around athletes and coaches of all levels for decades, this is certainly not an easy topic, it’s probably the hardest one to deal with on the competitive side because it exposes you to an exploitive on field vulnerability. It is also not one that every athlete who has some issue can or would like to discuss publicly. The preventative, positive side of the story for those who choose to do it can be both powerful and groundbreaking, and the results in quiet, nonpublic spaces may be even greater than those who are speaking in the limelight.
Now the warning, as with every time something becomes a buzzworthy topic, needs to be in its moderation. Exploitation in the pharma space with paid endorsements would not surprise anyone. Also non authentic storytelling by some will also be a worry, as well as the distractions that can be caused in being involved in such a fluid and life changing situation as personal mental health.
However as we look forward and point to areas that will be “hot” in the coming years in the sports and well-being business, mental health, dealing with stress and anxiety and the telling of those stories is going to be a big one, and a positive one for many. True, gaming, esports and gambling continue to be the rage and rightfully so from a business perspective. But healthcare and its offshoots are growing as an inclusive issue, and having some big names continue to step from the shadows is great news, and great opportunity at the right time.
Good luck again to all with the courage to take on the challenge, and Godspeed to those helping to tell the story, Andrew Luck being the latest.
