/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f5aa368442e44e863b097d9/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=5760&cropY1=0&cropY2=3240&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Skip Bayless Says ‘I Don’t Have Sympathy’ For Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Discussing Depression")
Topline
On Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott publicly discussed his battles with depression and anxiety for the first time following the suicide of his brother, drawing criticism from Fox Sports TV personality Skip Bayless, who argued Thursday that the QB shouldn’t show any signs of “weakness” because “it can affect your team’s ability to believe in you in the toughest spots.”
Sports journalist and television personality, Skip Bayless prepares for First Take, ESPN2’s daily … [+]
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Key Facts
In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Prescott opened up about his brother’s death and his mental health struggles, explaining that, “all throughout this quarantine and this offseason, I started experiencing emotions I’ve never felt before.”
“Anxiety for the main one. And then, honestly, a couple of days before my brother passed, I would say I started experiencing depression,” Prescott said. “And to the point of, I didn’t want to work out anymore. I didn’t know necessarily what I was going through, to say the least, and hadn’t been sleeping at all.”
Bayless, speaking on “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed,” addressed Prescott’s public acknowledgment, stating that, “I don’t have sympathy for him going public with, ‘I got depressed. I suffered depression early in COVID to the point where I couldn’t even go work out.’ Look, he’s the quarterback of ‘America’s Team.’ “
“If you reveal publicly any little weakness, it can affect your team’s ability to believe in you in the toughest spots, and it definitely could encourage others on the other side to come after you,” Bayless added.
Speaking with reporters after Thursday’s practice, Prescott was asked about Bayless’ comments and said he would be a “fake leader” if he didn’t share his mental health struggles with others.
“I think being a leader is about being genuine and being real… I think it’s important to be vulnerable, to be genuine, to be transparent,” Prescott said. “I think that goes a long way when you’re a leader and when your voice is being heard by so many, and you can inspire.”
Surprising Facts:
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. In the U.S., suicide rates increased by 35% between 1999 and 2018. According to a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26% of adults between the ages of 18-24 reported having “seriously considered suicide” due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Key Background:
Mental health issues in sports has long been considered a taboo subject by some. Just two weeks ago, NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley criticized Clippers forward Paul George after George admitted he was battling anxiety and depression. “I underestimated mental health, honestly. I had anxiety, a little bit of depression,” George explained when asked about his disappointing play in the Clippers playoff series vs. the Thunder and how he’s dealt with being stuck in the NBA bubble in Orlando. George said he was able to turn it around after speaking with a team psychiatrist. On The Dan Patrick Show the following day, Barkley seemed to suggest that money and fame can inoculate individuals from mental illness, claiming, “I don’t think guys making millions of dollars should be worried just because they’re stuck in a place where they can go fishing, play golf, and play basketball to make millions of dollars. That’s not a ‘dark place.’ ” Barley added, “We are the luckiest people in the world to dribble a stupid basketball to make millions of dollars, we’re never in a dark place.” Former NBA player Raja Bell also knocked George. During an appearance on The Ringer NBA Show podcast, Bell said, “keep that sh-t to yourself, nobody wants to hear that.”
Crucial Quote:
“I got the help I needed, and I was very open about it. Emotions can overcome you if you don’t do something about it,” Prescott said. “Mental health is a huge issue, and it’s a real thing in our world right now, especially the world we live in… I think it’s huge to talk, I think it’s huge to get help, and it saves lives.”
Chief Critics:
(If you live in the U.S. and are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for free and confidential support. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For crisis support in Spanish, call 888-628-9454.)
Further Reading:
Dak Prescott opens up about brother’s suicide, his own battles with depression in new interview (Dallas Morning News)
Cowboys’ Prescott got help for Anxiety, depression during offseason (ESPN)
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