Former NFL player reveals how league left him struggling to find motivation to live

Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jeff Herrod has pleaded with current NFL players to take care of themselves. The now 56-year-old played 11 years in the league, 10 of which were with the Colts.

During his time in the NFL, Herrod was described by Eric Dickerson, via Zak Keefer, as like a drug addict when it came to football. He couldn't get enough of it. Well, it now appears that the single-minded focus of putting everything into the game he loved has come with serious consequences.

Keefer wrote a piece for The Athletic in which Herrod asked the current players to focus on their mental health.

"Take care of your brain, or you’ll be at home all day, staring at a wall, popping pills, trying to motivate yourself just to live."

It then went one step further in Keefer's talk with Herrod. As per the article, the former linebacker revealed that he can't do simple daily tasks due to his hands. He stated that he can't dress himself or even play video games with his children.

That would take a very high toll on a person's mental health.

Zak Keefer

@zkeefer

In one of our first conversations, Jeff kept mentioning, "You should see my hands." Then he sent over a picture. Can't put dress clothes on by himself, can't play video games with his kids. twitter.com/zkeefer/status…

Zak Keefer

@zkeefer

"Jeff was like a drug addict when it came to football"
— Eric Dickerson

Jeff Herrod on his message to today's players: "Take care of your brain, or you’ll be at home all day, staring at a wall, popping pills, trying to motivate yourself just to live."
theathletic.com/3927743/2022/1…

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"Jeff was like a drug addict when it came to football"
— Eric Dickerson

Jeff Herrod on his message to today's players: "Take care of your brain, or you’ll be at home all day, staring at a wall, popping pills, trying to motivate yourself just to live."
theathletic.com/3927743/2022/1…

In one of our first conversations, Jeff kept mentioning, "You should see my hands." Then he sent over a picture. Can't put dress clothes on by himself, can't play video games with his kids. twitter.com/zkeefer/status… https://t.co/aZrDdYIME3

While the game gave him so much over 11 years, in the way of money and fame, we see now that it comes at a cost, and a devastating one at that.

Not every player goes through what Herrod has, but there are a lot who suffer greatly post their football careers.

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Herrod's tale a reminder for current NFL players

The NFL now is as fast and high-paced as ever before. The athletes are faster, stronger, and can go for longer periods. This means that high-impact collisions happen all the time.

We have seen the effects of CTE and what it has done to past players. In Herrod's case, while not dealing with that as such, it is yet another reminder that though the game gives players so much, it can often take away a whole lot more.

As Herrod states, players need to look after themselves to avoid suffering the same fate as he did. The glitz and glamor of the NFL is unlike any other sport, but as we have seen on several occasions, it comes with serious pitfalls.

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