NYT: Eagles' Andrews still battling depression
Shawn Andrews tells N.Y. Times all is not well as he continues to struggle to improve his mental health.
NYT: Eagles' Andrews still battling depression
David Sell
Eagles offensive lineman Shawn Andrews, who missed the 2008 training camp because of depression, told The New York Times that his sunnier public demeanor during the team's recent mini-camp was not a completely accurate view of his his mental situation.
“There’s some good and bad in there,” Andrews told the Times, referring to himself. “If you know the song ‘Tears of a Clown,’ that would kind of describe my past a little bit up to now.”
Andrews told The Times that his bouts with depression prior to the 2008 season were exacerbated by concerns about the obligation of being a new father, having been raised in by a single mother.
"I had a new obligation, and I’m going to fulfill it because of my past experience,” Andrews said in the story.
The Times reported that Andrews said his interest in football began to flag at the same time.
“I was partying, drinking to try to hide what was really going on,” he said. “Temporarily, it helped me. In the grand scheme, it really didn’t.”
He held out from training camp. The Eagles said they would fine him $15,000 a day. When Moran told him how much money he stood to lose, Andrews said his reaction was, “So what?”
Interesting article. I hope that Shawn Andrews will continue his recovery and that he resumes the high level of play for the Eagles. Given his history, it's going to put the Eagles in a tough situation when they next sign him to an extension (likely to happen if the switch to RT is permanent) - they might want to give him a huge signing bonus, but may be reluctant to based on his history. More than anything, I hope the guy stays physically and mentally healthy.— knighn- Wow this was informative— bsaw
Comment removed.- Shawn, you make millions. Get some really good therapy, some kick a*s meds, shut up and get on the frickin' field. Try not having that phat income and then you'll have some REAL depression like you've never known. Enough already.— friedmozzarella
- It's tough on a kid from a rural part of the country to be cast into the spotlight of Philly sports. I've always felt Andy Reid was a part time baby sitter. The Northeast corridor is culturally very different from of the rest of the country. Most people would only move to there, instead of away from there, for a lot of money. I hope Andy's idea of surrounding Shawn with his brother and former college roommate gets Shawn focused on football.— Lockyer
- Paging Mr. Runyan.....— LF
- I would like the experience of having millions of dollars. I don't think anything would depress me. Regarding the pressures of a new baby? Get a nanny. You got the money!— SayHello2MyLittleFriend
- Starting right tackle telling the NEW YORK TIMES he's depressed.....thats positive.......ILUVCHAMPIONS!!!!— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
- friedmozzarella, I may not have said it the way you did, but I hate to say this at the risk of sounding insensetive ,but I agree, he has millions of dollars and all we hear about is his depression, especially now he brings up being depressed because of his pending fatherhood. If he wants to see depression ask him to come try and balance my check book during this recession, then he'll know depression !!— MoBayYankee
- andrews/seldon/reggie for boldin and a pick..... but we do have almost 4 3rd rounders next year (depends on lito trade)— fman727
- I commend Shawn Andrews for having the courage to discuss this topic openly. I am sure in the ultra-masculine world of pro football that many guys do not talk about this. I think we as fans should be supportive of the guys on the team. As for his critics, do you really think that money buys happiness? I think that idea has been disproven many times when you examine the lives of celebrities.— Birdsfan83
- I bleed green just like any hardcore eagle fan, but i hate to be mentioned with the likes of some of you morons (friedmozzarella). You obviously don't know what kind of effect depression can have on someone. It's not something you can get rid of overnight, or turn it off like a lightswitch. Get educated before you make idiotic remarks like that. And by the way, money has no effect on wether you can be depressed or not, it is a mental issue. And— RZA1217
I guess you have to be an elitest, New York Times Reader to make sense of this article.— Earl J- Comment removed.
- friedmozzarella, you're an a*s*o*e Fill in the blanks. Depression kills more people than any sports injury ever will, and it can take a lot longer to rehab than a torn ACL or a ruptured Achilles', or whichever injury one considers the worst. Your inference that he hasn't experienced "real" depression yet just shows how ignorant you are.— B in DC
