Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently opened up about the challenges of dealing with depression and anxiety following his brother’s suicide. His admission was met with insensitive comments from Fox Sports co-host Skip Bayless that he has since apologized for after receiving backlash.
Professional athletes and mental health advocates have since come to bat for Prescott and his willingness to open up on a topic that is still considered to be taboo. Head coach Mike McCarthy has also shared high praise and admiration for his efforts on and off the field, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:
“I can’t say enough about him,” McCarthy said. “He impresses me at every turn. I think his strength, and his ability to be transparent on his personal challenges that he’s fighting through, I think is something that shows tremendous strength. I admire him for it.”
McCarthy's comments clearly come in stark contrast to the initial ones made by Bayless regarding his lack of leadership. Prescott using his platform to shine a light on mental health is something that can have a profound impact for fans that may be going through the same thing.
Dak Prescott already had a lot on his plate during an unprecedented offseason that included the fight against racial injustice and dealing with the expectations of being the quarterback of “America's Team” all while negotiating a long-term contract. At the end of the day, it pales in comparison to making sure that his mental health was in order after the death of his brother and he is now taking action to encourage others to do the same.
McCarthy is just one of the many that stand behind him.
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