Colts Star Details Heartbreaking Depression Battle

In an interview he did with the Indianapolis Star, Smith said that he was battling a terrible bout of depression that caused him to step away from the team. 

He explained that he has a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that was so bad it made him think about committing suicide.

In a truly eye-opening statement, the star lineman said, “I did not care about playing football. I didn't care about hanging out with my family, with my wife, with my newborn son. I was a month away from putting a bullet through my brain.” Just chilling stuff.

Not to take the focus off Smith, but this is a concerning trend that has been popping up more frequently in athletes over the past few years. 

Perhaps older players also had some of the same thoughts and just kept quiet due to the stigmas of the times, but players are coming forward with these stories today at an unprecedented rate.

In a cross-sport reference, just last week Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jarren Duran offered up his own story about his battle with depression and suicidal thoughts because of scrutiny from the fanbase. 

If this epidemic was only happening with football players, then you could probably chalk it up to CTE or the general deterioration of a person from all the contact they endured throughout the years.

But the fact that players in other sports deal with similar things means that the sports world has a problem on its hands. 

These men are the starkest examples of why we need to check on the people around us, whether they look happy or not.

Smith has tens of millions of dollars that will have him set for life financially. He has millions of people around the world that look at him like a superhero. 

But none of it is enough to keep out the dark thoughts that can creep up on even the strongest humans.

The Colts’ tackle says that he spent a few days in a mental health facility and began taking a psychedelic drug that drastically improved his mental state. 

Smith and the team agreed on a restructured contract for the 2025 season, so it seems he is ready to return to the team with a newfound energy and appreciation for life.

Smith is the perfect reminder of just how fragile and precious life is. 

Everyone looks at these athletes like superheroes or even gods amongst men. 

But when they take off their helmets, take off their uniforms, they are normal people that think and feel just like you and me.

Just a little bit more mental anguish and Smith would have been taken from us far too early. 

I speak for everyone when I say, we are all overjoyed he got the help he needed and pray that he will be here with us for a long, long time.