Johnny Manziel to start for Browns. Maybe?
December 7, 2015Cleveland State makes baby steps, falls to Kent State at The Q
December 7, 2015It’s becoming an all-too-common story, one that rings loudly with each and every new account we hear from a former NFL player learning to live a life after a playing career. Whether it’s the Broke 30 for 30 or Jim Trotter’s chronicle of the life and death of Junior Seau, these are rarely uplifting stories, but they’re an important part of the NFL experience for fans who want to root on teams and players making physical sacrifices week in and week out.
The Cleveland Browns former 2002 fifth-round pick Andra Davis told his story of depression and contemplating suicide to the Denver Post recently.
“I’ve had a pistol in my hand,” he said. “It wasn’t because of finances. It wasn’t because I didn’t have anyone there to love and support me. I didn’t know what was going on. I had headaches, my body hurt. I felt like nobody cared about me. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t really care if I’m here or not.'”
You really should go read the whole thing. Andra Davis was a tackle machine for the Browns from 2002 to 2008. He played in more than 100 games for the Browns, amassing 448 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Like so many other players that have played with the Browns, his post-season stats are almost non-existent. Davis’ only career playoff game happened in 2002 when the Browns lost to Pittsburgh, 36-33. These are some of the disappointments and regrets that many NFL players carry with them into retirement and it’s so much a matter of circumstance.
The Denver Post also made a video that they were nice enough to give us the ability to share.
3 Comments
Wonder if the mental/physical health of the retirees will be the first piece of whatever formula there is to the demise of the NFL cash cow in the US.
Side note “Concussion” looks like it will be a very good movie. I’m sure the NFL can’t wait for it to premiere.
“when the Browns lost to Pittsburgh, 36-33″….DENNIS NORTHCUT