Steve Smith Sr. Details His Personal Battle With Depression

[stankowalski]

I think everyone in life at some point, to some degree, gets depressed.  I did, and I know others that have too.  Thankfully I've not known anyone that's committed suicide because of it but I realize there are many that do.  I feel bad for anyone that has to get to that point obviously. 

Mental illness has always had a stigma attached to it and as a society I think we've made strides bringing this whole issue to light.  But on my way to work I'll see the same homeless people wandering around getting no help.  At least people like Steve Smith have support and the money to deal with it.  I feel worse for those people don't have the resources or family to deal with it. 

[Davidson Deac II]

4 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

It's fairly  common for highly driven people to be depressed. The same "nothing is ever good enough" attitude that makes them successful can also eat away at them.

I guess I should be thankful for my lazy good enough for government work attitude.

[MountaineerChemist10]

Any kind of mental illness is tough. Smitty's always been my fav NFL player ever since I started watch in '03, but now I look up to him as a role model. Proud of you Steve, we're all proud of you.

[flpanthersfan]

This is a fantastic article, thanks for posting!

I had a single encounter with #89 outside a local smoothie shop near Ballantyne.  He was sitting in his car, waiting for me to leave the otherwise empty shop, and the shop owner pointed out that he was a frequent customer, but didn't like attention.  I don't get star-struck, and don't like the idea of intruding on somebody's privacy just because they are famous.  I didn't think I'd ever have another chance to thank him for everything he had done for the team and the community, so I kind of broke my rule.  As I left the store, I approached his open door with a friendly "Hello", and I had captured his attention for that brief second.  I simply said "Thank you, Mr. Smith, for being such a great player and generous volunteer in our home city of Charlotte.  I really appreciate watching you play and participate in local charities, and hope that you get the contract extension you're looking for.  I'd love to see you play out your career here."  He replied with a simple "Thanks", barely looking up from his phone.  It was enough for me.  I didn't expect or want anything else from the man.  Just wanted him to know that his fans appreciate all he does for the community on and off the field.

As a longtime Panthers fan, who has invested many, many weekends watching season after season of both heartache and exhilaration, I wanted to take the opportunity to simply and quickly let him know his efforts were very impactful.  He was/still is my favorite Panthers player.  The underdog who everyone said was "too small", "a hot-head",  "a braggart"... whatever the labels they tried to stick on him.  Despite his lack of size for a "#1" receiver, and the now-public inner struggles laid out in his article, he played larger than life for 16 seasons in the NFL, left it all out on the field, demonstrated the work ethic that makes HOF-level players who they are, and took defensive backs out of their game with smack-talk that is T-shirt worthy (Ice Up, Son is CLASSIC).  I hope when he gets his 1st ballot HOF nomination, he can finally feel great about his accomplishments.

[panthers55]

5 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

It's fairly  common for highly driven people to be depressed. The same "nothing is ever good enough" attitude that makes them successful can also eat away at them.

Exactly true. The chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong and show them he was better than they were drove him to be so successful but also doomed him to be unhappy. His biggest critic was himself and no matter what he did, it wasn't good enough which is what most of us grow up with. It isn't intentional but we most often focus on our shortcoming not our successes.

[Cary Kollins]

Great of him to put this out there. Hopefully it will help others dealing with depression.

Football wise, I think this confirms firsthand how it was imperative for Carolina to move on from Smith simply for the good of the locker room. Of course it could have been handled better by Gettleman, but at least we know why Smith was the way he was.

 

[PantherBrew]

Damn man.  

For Steve to write this and have the reputation that he has is amazing. It is likely that of the thousands of people who read this, at least one of them will seek help and possibly get it.  

 

89 has always been my favorite player, and that is not changing.  

[TheSpecialJuan]

haha

[JARROD]

He should come back as a coach in Carolina.

Steves a true class act