NFL: 5 Players Who Played While Dealing With Depression

(Photo : Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Dak Prescott (#4) of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFL players may seem cocky or confident at times. Others seem to have it made, especially if they land that lofty paycheck or are recognized for their accomplishments. However, there are NFL players who go through depression.

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Erik Kramer admits playing through depression. The former quarterback, who still holds the franchise record for passing yards and touchdowns, admits playing through depression during his prime, CBS Sports reported.

Worse, the 59-year-old admitted that after football, it came to a point where he almost took his life. He miraculously survived shooting himself in the head through his chin.

Having survived that, Kramer is thankful and has since become a champion for mental health science. Hopefully, he makes a difference, not only to football players but also to kids through mental health programs.

Aside from Kramer, some NFL players came out courageously to share their mental episodes. Here are some of them.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys QB

Dak Prescott is someone most may not figure to be battling depression. He admitted to dealing with depression during the 2020-21 NFL season, the pandemic years.

However, it was not the restrictions that took its toll on him. Rather, it was the death of his brother by suicide that pushed him into that state, USA Today reported.

The two-time Pro Bowler explained that it was hard to lead in that state of mind. Like Kramer, he is doing his share to raise mental health awareness.

Terry Bradshaw, former Pittsburgh Steelers QB

Terry Bradshaw is best known as one of the top quarterbacks ever to play in NFL history. He has four Super Bowl rings to back up that claim. However, not many know how he dealt with depression behind the scenes.

He admits that after being diagnosed in 1999, Bradshaw has been carrying it with him while playing in the NFL. That carried on to his broadcasting career. He admits that the negativity around him is something he cannot control, a struggle that hounds him even after years of success in the NFL.

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Already revealing he had anxiety disorder before his NFL started, Lane Johnson shares the harrowing experience he went through in the pros. It came to a point where he had severe depression, and he was ashamed to admit he was dealing with one.

"It got so bad, I was really starting to throw up blood. The nerves, have tremors in my hands. This was something I dealt with for a long time. There's medications that help with this, but you can't mask everything," the 33-year-old shared via NBC Sports.

Brian Dawkins, ex-Philadelphia Eagles safety

Nicknamed "Weapon X," Brian Dawkins had a promising NFL career. However, it was not smooth sailing for him, revealing at his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech that he was dealing with depression for practically his entire career with the Eagles.

"I just wanted to be in a dark room by myself with nobody. My room, I won't say was a frequent occurrence, but it was something I would do. My faith back then wasn't that strong, so I listened to the other voice in my head, and that's where suicidal thoughts came in," the 9-time Pro Bowler shared.

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown had his infamous Instagram video, which was deleted when he was still with the Tennessee Titans. It was put up a year after he admitted that he considered taking his life, per the Bleacher Report.

"I didn't know, really didn't take into consideration what depression really was. I always just brushed it off. That's how I grew up. I just brushed off my feelings, and it got the best of me," he explained.

Brushing off depression is easier said than done. It may work for some and not for others. Overall, these NFL players are simply sending out simple messages: Do not be afraid to admit you are dealing with depression and approach someone who can help.