Being an athlete seems to be the greatest thing in the world. Other than the god given talent you have the money, the big fancy house, and the beautiful women to go along with it. What if I told you their ordinary people? Despite the money they have the same everyday problems we face daily. We often assume that athletes are high and mighty and don't have any problems, but in reality that's false. There were athletes that couldn't handle the pressures of fame. Either the money ran low or the opportunities were scarce. What would you do? What would you do if you were a pitcher and gave up the game-winning home run in the playoffs? It's tough when millions of fans blame you for a loss. It can be overbearing, but to some, they took the easy way out and that's suicide. Each year over 1.2 million people commit suicide. The average victim has either dealt with financial issues, drug abuse, mental health, relationship and interpersonal problems. It's a serious crisis that has received significant attention within the last 50 years, but for professional athletes, there has been occasions were 1 have contemplated, attempted, or fell victim to suicide. I have 4 stories about 4 athletes who have committed suicide. You may find this interesting to say the least. But the moral to this post is to think about others. Although they may be on top of the world they could be dealing with something worse than we are.
1. Jovan Belcher
I'm sure everyone remembers the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide on December 1st. Belcher appeared to have it made. Being overlooked in college the 6-2 linebacker went undrafted before the Kansas City Chiefs invited him to camp and making the squad. He made a name for himself in 2010 after he was inserted into the starters role helping his team make the playoffs. The following season he finished 2nd on his team in tackles and the future looked bright for Belcher.
Belcher had it made. By 2012, he signed a multi-year contract and his girlfriend recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. You couldn't ask for much, but Belcher's personal life began to turmoil. According to multiple reports both Belcher and his live in girlfriend Kassandra Belcher had problems prior to the birth of their daughter. The problems were so extreme that the Chief's front office had to intervene. Sadly their efforts weren't enough. On December 1st Belcher and Perkins got into an argument that turned deadly. Belcher shot Perkins multiple times, killing her instantly. Belcher then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and confronted HC Romeo Crennel and GM Scott Pioli in the parking lot. A distraught Belcher told them that he had killed Perkins and personally thanked them before taking his life. In such a tragic ending we all feel for both families as well as Crennel and Pioli who witnessed Belcher's suicide.
2. Donnie Moore
Moore played 14 years in the majors before he retired in 1988, The one time all-star and perrenial set-up man and closer posted a lifetime 3.47 ERA will forever be known for his Game 5 appearance in the 1986 ALCS where his California Angels were 1 out away from going to the World Series. Facing the Boston Red Sox the Angels called on Moore to close the door, but unfortunately he gave up the game winning home run to Dave Henderson and the Angels lost the game and eventually the series. Demoralized by the HR, Moore went into a deep depression and was never able to regroup after the game 5 loss. He was cut by the Angels and later the Royals and Moore soon retired. His personal life was in shambles. His marriage was failing and he was suffering financially. On July 18th 1989, Moore and his wife got into an argument and during the dispute Moore shot her 3 times in the chest before killing himself in front of their children. Mrs Moore survived and in a ESPN Outside The Lines interview in 2005, Mrs Moore, along with her 2 children stated that Moore was haunted by the game 5 misfortune and he was never able to bounce back. A man who had it all, his life ended with 1 pitch. Such a sad ending to what was a great career.
3. Ryan Freel
Freel played 8 years in the majors primarily used as a utility player. A fan favorite in Cincinnati, Freel's work ethic and wild personality made him a like-able figure in baseball. He will always be remembered for his eccentric tale of "Farney" as Freel stated an imaginary friend who lived inside his head LOL. Many people found humor in his stories and that infamous 2006 interview will forever live on. Freel who suffered multiple concussions during his playing days was forced to retire after the 2009 season. From 2010 until his death he was arrested twice for DUI. Just last week Freel committed suicide in his Florida home, he was 36 years old. There is no report on why he shot himself, but many news outlets hinted that his lingering concussion symptoms played a factor in Freel's suicide.
4. Danny Thomas
A highly touted prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system in the 70's became a wild and disastrous ride for both Thomas and the Brewers. After tearing up the minor leagues the Brewers promoted Thomas to their roster. He had stretches of playing good ball but his mental issues became a problem. After a nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt in the winter of 1976, Thomas checked himself into a mental ward where he stayed until February of 1977. During his stay he joined the Worldwide Church of God and practiced the Sabbath religiously, which later became a controversial matter that upcoming season. During spring training Thomas' behavior became an issue for the ball club. Before the start of the season Thomas stated that he would not play on Friday and Saturday's because of the Sabbath. He began missing missing games and after several warnings the Brewers released him. Unable to secure a job he retired from baseball and moved to Alabama. He worked odd jobs here and there but personal life began to spiral out of control. He was in and out of alcohol treatment and in 1980 he was arrested and charged with statutory rape. While behind bars Thomas committed suicide by hanging himself with a bed sheet he was 29 years old.
In 2012
Since 2011, over 20 well known athletes committed suicide. In the summer of 2011, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher and at the time play-by-play announcer Mike Flanagan committed suicide outside his Maryland home. Financial reasons were one of the factors that lead to Flanagan's suicide. Depression triggered the suicide's of OJ Murdock and Kenny McKinley in 2011 and 2012 who both were in a whirlwind about landing an NFL jobs. This year Ray Easterling and Junior Seau both made headline after their suicides this spring. Since 2009, the NFL conducted the study of brain injuries and imposed a strict guideline to ensure player safety. In the case of Easterling and Seau's death, mental health can be a prime factor. It is stated in documents that both Seau and Easterling suffered from emotional issues in result to repeated blows to the head during their playing days. Boxers too have been subject to several suicides as well. It is an unfortunate incident, but it shows that athletes are everyday people just like us. No matter how much money an individual make it does not warrant happiness, nor does it make everyday problems disappear.
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