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i read this article in this week's SI--on the back page--about Blair Walsh and a teenage girl who idolized him. it got me to thinking. A lot. she had struggled with depression, was hospitalized for a week in a psych ward and had attempted suicide. She contacted Walsh after the infamous missed FG and left a message saying she knew how he must feel. she told him a bit about her story and hung up. He called her back, they talked and kept in touch, each identifying with the problems of the other. i have a teenage daughter who struggles with depression so it hit home. I know also, a few days after that game, i had to order a Blair Walsh jersey myself. i wasnt sure why. i just knew i had missed plenty of field goals in my life, sometimes at crucial moments, and had to embrace that. I guess it was my "I am Sparticus" moment...
What it made me think was one reason winning and losing a game can mean so much to us is that by winning, we innoculate ourselves against the pain of our own failures or losses. and when our team loses, we are suddenly in touch with those feelings all over again. ive always hated phrases like, "losing was not an option" or "he just willed his team to win" etc. when of course, losing is a very real option that we have all experienced. and the mistique of "willing" a win is just that. it aint real. I have strived mightly, given it my all, and still have come up short. and when i realized that, i thought THAT'S why I love football. because the game is much bigger than the stadiums in which it is played. It stands in for our lives and we can work through the pain and dissappointments of life and even feel like we can reverse them--if only our team wins. somehow knowing that, doesnt take away from the enjoyment of the game at all. It just keeps it in the realm of a "game" and not life and death. Or maybe I'm just whistling past the graveyard.
Can't make up my mind if I "like" this or find it "insightful"...
the struggle is real. =)
I too have a loved one who has dealt with depression her entire life. Excellent write up CA.
I am so sorry your daughter is going through that. As a parent, you feel so helpless at times when it comes to that. I am glad she had such a powerful and positive experience with Blair. He is compassionate and kind. Athletes can touch people and make a difference. And when they do, they are making the most of a tremendous opportunity. There are many that are doing wonderful things to help others. It's just a game but at the same time, it's so much more than a game. That's the beauty of it. I wish your daughter and your family all the best.
Thanks for sharing Caactorvike! I liked Blair Walsh and was pulling for him to turn his game around but it was not to be... Your story paints a different side of the canvas, his personal life. Athletes can reach out and really touch someone with their support and interest. Great story! I'm thinking the teenager helped Blair every bit as much as he helped her!
Great insight, CA! Thanks for posting that. I just hope everyone reads it.
Quote: @Caactorvike said:
i read this article in this week's SI--on the back page--about Blair Walsh and a teenage girl who idolized him. it got me to thinking. A lot. she had struggled with depression, was hospitalized for a week in a psych ward and had attempted suicide. She contacted Walsh after the infamous missed FG and left a message saying she knew how he must feel. she told him a bit about her story and hung up. He called her back, they talked and kept in touch, each identifying with the problems of the other. i have a teenage daughter who struggles with depression so it hit home. I know also, a few days after that game, i had to order a Blair Walsh jersey myself. i wasnt sure why. i just knew i had missed plenty of field goals in my life, sometimes at crucial moments, and had to embrace that. I guess it was my "I am Sparticus" moment...
What it made me think was one reason winning and losing a game can mean so much to us is that by winning, we innoculate ourselves against the pain of our own failures or losses. and when our team loses, we are suddenly in touch with those feelings all over again. ive always hated phrases like, "losing was not an option" or "he just willed his team to win" etc. when of course, losing is a very real option that we have all experienced. and the mistique of "willing" a win is just that. it aint real. I have strived mightly, given it my all, and still have come up short. and when i realized that, i thought THAT'S why I love football. because the game is much bigger than the stadiums in which it is played. It stands in for our lives and we can work through the pain and dissappointments of life and even feel like we can reverse them--if only our team wins. somehow knowing that, doesnt take away from the enjoyment of the game at all. It just keeps it in the realm of a "game" and not life and death. Or maybe I'm just whistling past the graveyard.
Quote: @Caactorvike said:
i read this article in this week's SI--on the back page--about Blair Walsh and a teenage girl who idolized him. it got me to thinking. A lot. she had struggled with depression, was hospitalized for a week in a psych ward and had attempted suicide. She contacted Walsh after the infamous missed FG and left a message saying she knew how he must feel. she told him a bit about her story and hung up. He called her back, they talked and kept in touch, each identifying with the problems of the other. i have a teenage daughter who struggles with depression so it hit home. I know also, a few days after that game, i had to order a Blair Walsh jersey myself. i wasnt sure why. i just knew i had missed plenty of field goals in my life, sometimes at crucial moments, and had to embrace that. I guess it was my "I am Sparticus" moment...
What it made me think was one reason winning and losing a game can mean so much to us is that by winning, we innoculate ourselves against the pain of our own failures or losses. and when our team loses, we are suddenly in touch with those feelings all over again. ive always hated phrases like, "losing was not an option" or "he just willed his team to win" etc. when of course, losing is a very real option that we have all experienced. and the mistique of "willing" a win is just that. it aint real. I have strived mightly, given it my all, and still have come up short. and when i realized that, i thought THAT'S why I love football. because the game is much bigger than the stadiums in which it is played. It stands in for our lives and we can work through the pain and dissappointments of life and even feel like we can reverse them--if only our team wins. somehow knowing that, doesnt take away from the enjoyment of the game at all. It just keeps it in the realm of a "game" and not life and death. Or maybe I'm just whistling past the graveyard.
Excellent write-up. I too have a teenage daughter, actually just turned 20, who suffers from depression. Very heartbreaking and helpless feeling. It has taken about 2 years of meds/talk therapy to get the right mix for her and she has really leveled-off for about the last 5 months....5 months is huge for her not hitting her low points so we are thrilled but we also are very tentative waiting for the shoe to drop again. I think this is a lifelong battle for her and us!
Related to your Walsh story was Brandon Marshal a few years back publicly acknowledging he had Bi-polar and how he went on the meds and really changed his life. He was a train-wreck with the Bronocs in the Terel Owens-mold but then got help and the meds helped a lot. He became a spokeman for Bi-polar disorder and is probably still doing so.
I know all too well how depression can affect not only the person but the family of the person who suffers it. That is a great write up Caactor and kudos to Blair for responding to that teen. I hope your daughter and your whole family are doing well. Too bad we can not choose both insightful and like because your post is worthy of both.
I never understood a few people on here who hated him and said they'd yell at him in public if they ever saw him. I hated Gary Anderson in January '99... but I was 12. I just felt bad for Walsh.
Maybe THIS is why I like this board. Excellent, well-written and honest post. Thanks for sharing that, CA.
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