Andrews Battling Depression, Plans Return Soon
Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews told the Daily News yesterday that he is absent from training camp because he has been battling depression, but he is getting treatment and hopes to get the OK to return to the team from a mental health professional in Arkansas after a Thursday appointment.
Andrews Battling Depression, Plans Return Soon
Les Bowen
Shawn Andrews says not to believe any of the salacious rumors about his absence from the Eagles. Don't even believe the more mundane "speculation that I just don't want to go to camp," Andrews said in a phone conversation with the Daily News from his home in Arkansas Monday afternoon.
"I'm willing to admit that I've been going through a very bad time with depression," the Eagles' two-time Pro Bowl right guard said. "I've finally decided to get professional help. It's not something that blossomed up overnight. I'm on medication, trying to get better."
Andrews didn't want to go into the origins of his depression, which he said began a little more than a year ago and steadily worsened. "I really was kind of at my end," he said. "I've really had a lot on my mind, really (been) contemplating a lot of things."
Anyone who has been through such struggles knows the symptoms he is dealing with -- a frantic, anxious feeling, inability to sleep or concentrate.
"In the state that I'm in, (had he reported), I would be at training camp physically, but mentally, I could have gotten myself hurt or gotten one of my teammates hurt," Andrews said. "But I have a meeting with my doc on Thursday, and hopefully, I'll be up that way on Friday."
Actually, if Andrews shows up on Friday there won't be anyone at camp to greet him -- the Eagles play their presesason opener that night in Pittsburgh. Saturday would probably be good for everyone.
Andrews confirmed that he is being fined more than $15,000 per day because his absence is unexcused. He praised the Eagles, though, for being understanding, despite Eagles coach Andy Reid's hints Monday that the longer Andrews stays out, the more danger there is of sub Max Jean-Gilles taking his job.
"Football is important, it's a means to an end, but my mental health, I feel like, is a lot more important," Andrews said. "That's a helluva lot of money ... Money's good, money's a necessity, but it's not everything. I can't put a price tag on my mental state."
Andrews and agent Rich Moran declined to speculate on whether they could make a case legally or through the players' association to have the fines rescinded. They said they just want to get Andrews squared away and back with the team, right now.
Andrews has been reading some of the comments fans have made online about his situation.
"I don't expect sympathy," he said. "I know there are harsh people in this world, but dang, that made me feel low. I do care what people think about me, to an extent."
Andrews, who said he has continued to work out and is in top shape, 335 pounds, said he has spoken with a few teammates. He said he hopes to speak with the team when he returns, "to stop some of the bleeding."
Andrews said he is "a fan of Max," and that "Max deserves what he works for."
Andrews said when he speaks to his teammates, "I just want to look 'em in the eye and let 'em all know -- this wasn't BS, this was for the mental health of me, I could have gone out there and gotten any one of you hurt" by not being focused.
Look for more on Andrews in Tuesday's Daily News.
Don't hang out with Barrett Robbins— Vic Packer- Keep your chin up, kid!— dsteinb
- I'll take Andrews at his word that he is really battling depression, and not just taking time off during training camp. Depression is a very serious sickness, it often gets overlooked and even poked fun at by people who have never had the illness. It's a debilitating sickness that can take control of your life. Those who have it, don't want to be depressed, but they can not fix the situation on their own. That causes more anxiety and sadness becausee they want desperately to feel better. It builds on itself. I really hope Shawn is ok. It would be great to see him on the field this year. Get better soon.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- Now I'm depressed. I need a hoagie.— Big Game
- Just what I'd expect from ignorant Eagles fans. Just because its not there on an MRI doesn't mean its not real. I'd like to see those idiots function at their jobs while battling depression. People die from this disease, just like cancer and heart attacks. I applaud Shawn for coming forward and risking the abuse from Neanderthals like these. Hopefully it will help others do the same.— brad24
if its clinical depression, its a medical sitation and hopefully that gets him off some of the fines. but regarding depression, it takes HUGE GUTS to admit it & face it. and HUGE GUTS to battle it. its not anyone's fault that the human body is a wierd bird and does wierd things. its like we have no control going bald, but depression is an even more silent and serious opponent. handling it, battling it and doing something in the face of this debilitating sickness takes courage! that he is admitting this AND fighting it, makes me PROUD HE IS AN EAGLE! GOOD LUCK SHAWN, ALL EAGLES FANS ARE ROOTING FOR YOU!!— daveH- Everyone gets depressed, even if it's just a little. Even if you make good money, doing something that you love. It happens. It kills you to have to explain it too! He did the right thing -stay near those that love you. and i dont mean the cheap shot fans and haters. Since you read this stuff , know that we are pulling for you big boy!!— bigbuck54
- Give the man a break. He's obviously battling with something if it's gone this far. Who wants to risk ignoring that and dealing with the consequences???— philarkitect07
- As a Clinical Psychologist and long-time Eagles fan I am impressed by the maturity and confidence of Shawn Andrews in stepping up and letting it be known that he is suffering from Depression. Eagles fans, please educate yourselves and don't fall prey to the negative stigma which exists in our society regarding mental health. Depression is a real and serious disorder which can be incredibly debilitating, and yes can even affect professional athletes who earn large salaries (google what happened with Barret Robbins prior to Super Bowl 37 for a reminder of how serious this stuff can be). For more information on Depression and its treatment you can go here: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml— DrMS
- This should have been addressed in the off season....Sitting around not doing anything is not going to help..Get out there stop feeling sorry for yourself and focused on your goals, your families and the teams goals!!!!...Getting off the couch is the first step!!! Many people deal with depression on a daily basis and still managed to function..Stop feeling sorry for yourself and instead of wasting that money paying fines, if you can afford to pay the fines then put the money you are wasting every day you sit out to a good cause the helps people with mental illness...Andy didn't sit on the couch last season and I am sure he had plenty to be depressed about!!!— PhilliesFan08
- anyone who makes fun of this situation is an idiot. depression is a serious illness...good luck Shawn, great reporting Les.— njeagles
- to the idiots posting on here negatively about shawn i say get a life. Shawn you are doing 100% the right thing and if the Eagles DO hold up your fine then that should be made public with as much voracity as people trying to find out what was wrong. Yes Football is a big part of your life, but remember there will be life after football. take care of yourself and this fan has garnered a new found respect for you for admitting to your problem and taking steps to resolve it.— visionbrkr
Some posters here have doo doo for brains. Depression is serious business- Shawn, I bleed green and would love to have you back on the field. But you gotta do what what you gotta do to get your head in the right place. If that means not playing, don't play. Your health and happiness is more important than a game.— nskaroff
- I'm confused. I'm assuming that Andy Reid and the top brass at the Mother Ship must've known that he was suffering from a medical condition. If so, then why the tough talk all along? Why allow the talk about unexcused absences and fines and losing your spot, etc. to continue? That's pretty insensitive to pick on an employee with a medical issue. Unless, of course, they had reason to believe this wasn't the reason he was missing camp... This doesn't pass the smell test.— hairball
