We live in a world so dependent on the perception of those around us. We depend so heavily on the opinions of strangers, and strive for the heights of social acceptance. We are supposed to fit into these perfect square boxes that society has built for us- because fluidity and taboo terrify us. As a society we want to be able to look at someone and know their sexuality, their race, their class, their...life. But that simply isn't reality. Anyone can wear a mask or morph into who they're supposed to be that day- it takes a person who isn't afraid to break the status quo to change the status quo.
We live in a world where being your true, authentic, flawed-filled self is usually frowned upon. Instead, we're encourage by society to present a perfect, photo-shopped version of who you really are. You're not supposed to be sad, or fat, or angry- you're supposed to be a happy, physically fit, and emotionally stable. Again, this simply isn't reality.
Today- Sean Welsh broke the Status Quo, and I am so deeply proud of a man I've never met.
Football, in American culture, is where masculinity is born. Hero's and legends are created on the fields all across the country when the sounds of helmets clashing and bodies colliding result in electric fan excitement. The biggest tackles are rewarded with the loudest cheers and tears are only acceptable in times of triumph, not defeat. So when a D1 football player writes an op-ed explaining that his biggest battle has never been on the gridiron, but rather in his own head- he's going to send shock-waves through the status quo.
Mental health has such a negative stigma surrounding it (see previous blog post), but especially in a realm where male dominance and masculinity are deemed so important. What's so unique about Sean's decision to go public about his depression is that not many young men, especially men who literally knock people down for a living, are able to vocalize their emotions and mental health needs. It's incredible that Sean was able to look inside himself and realize something wasn't right, and equally as incredible that Kirk Ferentz recognized his player's need to seek help and literally take a break from football to figure out what was going on. In most places of America, football is a religion. Saturday's are for the boys, right? Players are seen as "heroic" if they fight through pain, work through injuries, and brush-off concussions- just a scratch, right? Wrong. For a prominent coach like Ferentz to recognize the mental health of his players are just as important as the physical heath goes so far beyond words. It shows that the the future of football could be healthier, and the staff more equipped to deal with the injuries invisible to the naked eye. What Sean wrote, and the actions Ferentz took, makes me so proud to come from a University where depression isn't just brushed aside, or dismissed- but rather, it's tackled head on.
As an Offensive Linemen at the University of Iowa, I'm sure Sean Welsh has plenty of young kids that look up to him as an athlete. My hope is that after today, no matter your age, you look up to him as well; not as an athlete, but as a human. Not only did Sean recognize that something wasn't right- but he sought out help, and is understanding how his depression impacts his life, and learning how to cope with it as it comes and goes.
As Sean said, "Depression doesn't discriminate". Don't be afraid to seek help, and don't be afraid of what society will think of you. Everyone has their own story to tell- just keep on writing yours.
I just wanted to take a minute to appreciate and applaud this young man for breaking the taboo and stigma of mental health in an extremely masculine environment. Well done, Sean, absolutely so proud that you are a representative of the University of Iowa.
Link to Sean Welsh Op-Ed
We live in a world where being your true, authentic, flawed-filled self is usually frowned upon. Instead, we're encourage by society to present a perfect, photo-shopped version of who you really are. You're not supposed to be sad, or fat, or angry- you're supposed to be a happy, physically fit, and emotionally stable. Again, this simply isn't reality.
Today- Sean Welsh broke the Status Quo, and I am so deeply proud of a man I've never met.
Football, in American culture, is where masculinity is born. Hero's and legends are created on the fields all across the country when the sounds of helmets clashing and bodies colliding result in electric fan excitement. The biggest tackles are rewarded with the loudest cheers and tears are only acceptable in times of triumph, not defeat. So when a D1 football player writes an op-ed explaining that his biggest battle has never been on the gridiron, but rather in his own head- he's going to send shock-waves through the status quo.
Mental health has such a negative stigma surrounding it (see previous blog post), but especially in a realm where male dominance and masculinity are deemed so important. What's so unique about Sean's decision to go public about his depression is that not many young men, especially men who literally knock people down for a living, are able to vocalize their emotions and mental health needs. It's incredible that Sean was able to look inside himself and realize something wasn't right, and equally as incredible that Kirk Ferentz recognized his player's need to seek help and literally take a break from football to figure out what was going on. In most places of America, football is a religion. Saturday's are for the boys, right? Players are seen as "heroic" if they fight through pain, work through injuries, and brush-off concussions- just a scratch, right? Wrong. For a prominent coach like Ferentz to recognize the mental health of his players are just as important as the physical heath goes so far beyond words. It shows that the the future of football could be healthier, and the staff more equipped to deal with the injuries invisible to the naked eye. What Sean wrote, and the actions Ferentz took, makes me so proud to come from a University where depression isn't just brushed aside, or dismissed- but rather, it's tackled head on.
As an Offensive Linemen at the University of Iowa, I'm sure Sean Welsh has plenty of young kids that look up to him as an athlete. My hope is that after today, no matter your age, you look up to him as well; not as an athlete, but as a human. Not only did Sean recognize that something wasn't right- but he sought out help, and is understanding how his depression impacts his life, and learning how to cope with it as it comes and goes.
As Sean said, "Depression doesn't discriminate". Don't be afraid to seek help, and don't be afraid of what society will think of you. Everyone has their own story to tell- just keep on writing yours.
I just wanted to take a minute to appreciate and applaud this young man for breaking the taboo and stigma of mental health in an extremely masculine environment. Well done, Sean, absolutely so proud that you are a representative of the University of Iowa.
Link to Sean Welsh Op-Ed
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