Written by A year ago, talk show host Skip Bayliss criticized Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after admitting he was suffering from anxiety and depression after his brother’s suicide. His admission was called a sign of weakness, and it would impact his ability to lead. Bayliss apologized, but his reaction reflects what most people feel.
Since then, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, and several other athletes have shared their stories. They are using their platform as athletes to help advocate for those suffering and combatting the stigma associated with mental health.
Leading the pack is Brandon Marshall. Overcoming the perception of weakness around mental health in the culture of the NFL is something Marshall has worked tirelessly toward for the past ten years after being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) while he played for the Miami Dolphins. Marshall admits, “I think we still have work to do.”
Marshall’s story is captivating, chronicled brilliantly in a recent episode of A Football Life on NFL Network. He excelled on the football field from a young age and starred as a wide receiver at the University of Central Florida. The Denver Broncos drafted him the same year as quarterback Jay Cutler, starting a remarkable relationship that continued when they were reunited with the Chicago Bears later.
Marshall nearly lost his career due to his frequent emotional outbursts during practices and games. Cutler and his coaches were losing their patience with him. An intervention led him to seek help from the McLean Hospital in Boston. He was able to assess his situation and learn skills on how to cope with his condition.
More than three million diagnoses of Borderline Personality Disorder happen each year, and medication is not a treatment for most cases. Marshall went through therapy and had tremendous support from people close to him, including his mother, wife, Cutler, former coach Tony Sporano, and teammate Ricky Williams.
Marshall then realized that playing football was not his purpose in life, but instead, it was to bridge the gap in the mental health community. Being successful at playing football gave him a platform. By demonstrating vulnerability and sharing his story publicly, he is fulfilling his purpose. Marshall is highly charismatic and engaging, which has made him a tremendous advocate.
The statistics are staggering:
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), less than half of adults who have a mental illness are receiving treatment, including about a third of those with severe disorders. As Brandon says, there is much work left to educate the public and remove the stigma of coming forward to seek help.
Even though Marshall is retired, he continues to use football as a platform by hosting the highlight show, Inside the NFL, where his personality shines. His hard work has made him a celebrity and a leading voice for the cause of spreading awareness of mental health issues among athletes. I saw Marshall this week on CBS Mornings discussing the topic with NBA star Kevin Love and WNBA player Didi Richards, who has come back from being paralyzed.
Now, Marshall will have a new platform to advance his advocacy. He will host a new show produced by Jada Pinkett Smith called “The Toughest Opponent.” It will provide a safe space for athletes to open up about mental illness.
Marshall is very open about how discovering his purpose may have saved his life. As nearly one in ten cases of Borderline Personality Disorder end in suicide, he may be correct. Having a clear vision of what is essential to him provided a focus for his recovery.
Too many people confuse their platform with their purpose. Being the best they can be at the role they are currently in becomes their goal. But what happens when that role ends? Understanding your underlying motivation for why you do what you do allows you to carry out your purpose as you move from one platform to the next.
Only about 25% of people can claim that they have a clear purpose for their lives, and about 40% are neutral on the subject or have no sense of meaning. Studies show that those that do are happier and live longer. I suspect the problem is that we are too busy spending time on what we have to do that we never take time to figure out what we want to do. That was the case for me, at least.
The athletes we watch are our heroes. I applaud those who have chosen to make themselves vulnerable by opening up and sharing their struggles with mental illness. Not only are they using their platform to help themselves and countless others, but they are also demonstrating strength far beyond their successes on the field, court, or arena.