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Still, an unsigned free agent, Odell Beckham Jr has taken time to rehab his body and mind with hopes of joining a new roster. Fans and rumored interests of teams the standout receiver should consider include the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.
However, Beckham is addressing something else more paramount in his personal life — mental health.
On Friday (Aug. 5), the 29-year-old took to Instagram detailing his bouts with depression, fatherhood, and more during the offseason.
This comes after his Super Bowl win with the rams and the birth of his son with Lauren Wood.
He said,
“After the bowl, having [my son] Zydn, battling depression, and being at such highs [and] lows at the same time put me in a really bad spot,” he wrote. “I firmly believe that either way it goes, we can have a choice in this life. [You] can either get up [and] get out of the funk or stay in it. I chose to get out of the mud,” per SI.
Beckham added,
“I’m here to tell you that if you feel like you can’t go anymore, GET YOUR A** UP and KEEP GOING!!! Nobody can do the work for you.”
View this post on Instagram
That same day, he spread the message of optimism on Twitter saying,
“It’s all love. I want everybody to succeed. Hope everybody is having a wonderful day.”
It’s all LUV. I want everybody to succeed. Hope everybody is havin a wonderful day.
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) August 5, 2022
Back in February, Beckham tore his ACL during the Super Bowl win against the Bengals. While he won’t be ready to return on such short notice, he’s able to prepare for what’s to come.
He’s still a valuable player according to Rams head coach Sean McVay. After an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he explained why he doesn’t mind having Beckham return,
“I really want Odell back on our team. He’s a guy that, in a short amount of time, we were able to develop a really special relationship. I thought he brought a great spark to our team. I thought he played really well. He’s a great teammate.”
With the NFL preseason in place, the Rams will take on the Chargers on Aug. 13 at SoFi Stadium.
Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health in the Black Community
According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, African American experience psychological distress 20 percent more than Caucasian Americans.
For Black adults 25 and under, depressive disorders increased over three percent from 2015 to 2018. Studies have also shown that Black Americans, regardless of age group, do not seek treatment as opposed to whites.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health says Black Americans who cope with depression often combat symptoms through supplementary means. This can include applying more significant efforts in everyday pursuits while minimizing internal anguish.
