Mental health
People pray during a prayer vigil for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin outside of University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during the Bill's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Back to work not business as usual for Damar Hamlin's peers

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 05, 2023 09:48 AM EST

FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay attends the Hope for Depression Research Foundation's 15th annual HOPE luncheon at the Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in New York. Irsay, who has publicly battled alcoholism and addiction, has made it a personal mission to break down barriers surrounding mental health. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jim Irsay is on a mission to spread mental health awareness

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 27, 2022 02:43 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates a two point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against he Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Arlington, Tx. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Burrow's antihunger efforts evolve into foundation

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 05, 2022 04:30 PM EDT

FILE - Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, left, talks with defensive end Marcus Smith (97) during stretching before an NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Renton, Wash. Marcus Smith III nearly tried to commit suicide because of pressure from football. He went to practice and told coach Pete Carroll and defensive line coach Cliff Hurtt what happened. “He supported me in every way possible. He actually helped me get that therapist, let me know that everything was going to be fine,” Smith said of Carroll. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
NFL players working to ease stigma around mental health help

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 04, 2022 01:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Denver. Former NFL star Demaryius Thomas, who died last December at age 33, had CTE, his family said Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Former NFL receiver Demaryius Thomas' family says he had CTE

Jul. 05, 2022 01:05 PM EDT

Cobain guitar on block to help Colts' mental health cause

May. 09, 2022 05:32 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay spent years putting together his expansive guitar collection. Now he’s trying to add a Fender Mustang electric...

FILE - Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich watches his team the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. A year after he became head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Reich and his wife, Linda, formed kNot Today, a nonprofit that works to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. Their foundation is among five organizations working together at the 2022 Super Bowl to combat sex trafficking, which is often heightened around major events. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File)
Frank Reich among groups going to LA to combat trafficking

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 06, 2022 01:15 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown wipes his face as he leaves the field after throwing his equipment into the stands while his team is on offense during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP)
Analysis: Antonio Brown's mental health is no joke

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 03, 2022 02:34 AM EST

FILE - Simone Biles watches gymnasts perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka were not the first elite athletes to struggle with their own mental health, but their public admissions this year spotlighted a crisis not often addressed in the sporting world. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Mental health among athletes spotlighted in tumultuous 2021

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 22, 2021 09:56 AM EST

FILE - Brian Dawkins looks on as he recently joined the Philadelphia Eagles scouting department during practice at NFL football training camp, on July 31, 2016, in Philadelphia. Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety and four-time All-Pro during 16 seasons with the Eagles and Broncos, has been on a mission to spread awareness about what he calls cerebral wellness since revealing a few years ago that he suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts early in his playing career. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Mental health education is ongoing process for NFL, players

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 14, 2021 06:57 PM EST

Former Indianapolis Colts' Robert Mathis, right, reacts after being inducted into the Ring of Honor by Colts owner Jim Irsay during a ceremony at halftime in an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Colts owner donates $3 million for mental health studies

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2021 12:19 PM EST

FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen stands on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Oct. 10, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Vikings had psychologists at Griffen's home on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021 to work with police on guiding him through another alarming mental health situation, with the 12th-year player refusing to come out of his house. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, file)
Vikings relieved Everson Griffen crisis ends 'peacefully'

By Brian Hall Nov. 24, 2021 01:14 PM EST

Tennessee Titans wide receiver A. J. Brown answers questions after an NFL football practice Nov. 5, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Brown first shared his battle with depression with a video posted to social media. On Thursday, Nov. 18, the 2020 Pro Bowl receiver talked to reporters about a fight that had him thinking of suicide on Nov, 12, 2020, saying mental health is as important as physical health and he wants to help encourage others to seek help. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Titans receiver A.J. Brown shares battle with depression

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 18, 2021 03:28 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons deal with loss of Ridley, lack of deep pass threat

By Paul Newberry Nov. 01, 2021 03:19 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) misses the catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Analysis: Calvin Ridley, Lane Johnson show real courage

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 01, 2021 01:20 AM EDT

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws downfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions 10/31/2021

Oct. 31, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons WR Ridley misses game to deal with mental health

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

OL Brandon Knight says he's taking a break from football

Oct. 21, 2021 08:05 PM EDT
BALTIMORE (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Brandon Knight says he's taking a break from football to address his mental health. ...

FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2020, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver. The Chiefs second-year linebacker posted on social media that he is struggling with his mental health. Gay offered no specifics in the tweet, which was posted soon after Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Gay was excused from practice for “personal reasons." (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds, File)
Chiefs LB Willie Gay says mental health is a struggle

Oct. 09, 2021 12:03 PM EDT

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) kneels during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants 9/26/2021

Sep. 26, 2021 01:09 PM EDT