When Packers QB Aaron Rodgers called out NFL for its lack of mental health support
Aaron Rodgers is never afraid to share his opinions on any topic, which was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the Green Bay Packers star spoke out on another matter that affects millions of people. Rodgers called out the NFL and its lack of resources regarding handling mental health. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback said the league was far behind in supporting mental health.
“I think the NFL is still a dinosaur in that respect. There’s a stigma around talking about feelings, struggles, and dealing with stress. There’s a lot of vernacular that seems to tag it as weakness.”
Aaron Rodgers and the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) became more aggressive in addressing the issue. Former offensive lineman and NFLPA president JC Tretter penned a blog post addressed to players in 2021, wanting them to utilize the resources present.
Tretter wrote:
“NFL players are often seen as the pinnacle of masculinity, and because caring about our own mental well-being and seeking support has not historically been associated with masculinity, too many of us do not prioritize that aspect of our health."
In 2019, the NFL instituted an official program to deal with its employees' mental health concerns. This came as part of a new collective bargaining agreement following the NFLPA's push for its formation.
Among other things, the agreement requires each team to have a certified behavioral health clinician on their staff.
Why Aaron Rodgers' comments hit home this season
Earlier this season, Aaron Rodgers and his comments came into the spotlight.
The Buffalo Bills faced the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 17 game in the 2022 season. In the first quarter of that game, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and received immediate medical attention. Hamlin was given CPR on the field and was later taken off the field on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Carrie Hastings, the Los Angeles Rams' sports psychologist and mental health clinician, said she reached out to players after what happened to Hamlin. Hastings sent out a message throughout the organization as a reminder to the athletes, coaches, and personnel that she was accessible to talk to.
Hastings said:
“A lot of them were receptive. The elephant in the room is mortality. The players know they can be hurt, and they’ve all dealt with injuries, but this included an element over which they had no control.”
Players from the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals stood in silence as Hamlin lay on the field at Paycor Stadium. Buffalo players still struggled to express their feelings days after the incident involving Hamlin. Quarterback Josh Allen spoke to the media and described what he saw that night:
"The scene replays over and over in your head. It's hard to describe how I felt and how my teammates felt in that moment. It's something we'll never forget."
Aaron Rodgers and his comments about the NFL and mental health hit all too close for the players who saw the Hamlin incident up close.
It remains to be seen if the league continues to make strides and pay heed to Aaron Rodgers and his words from two years ago.
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