Former UConn Football Star, Host of the hit podcast All Black Men Need Therapy, Mental Health Advocate, Champion for Fathers rights, Chris Bellamy returns. We explore how athletes can be ready for when their careers come to an end. Regardless of that being in college or professionally, it is still a huge way we identify ourselves. Not being a football, basketball, gymnast, swimmer, softball player anymore can be a major hurdle to overcome. All our lives, we have seen, our defined ourselves by a sport we competed in since childhood.
Chris said identity has many layers to it, not only in sports, having a plan before the time comes, can help people transition. He shared his own experience with finding his identity. A great athlete, Chris was a dynamic Running Back at UConn, he was so gifted, put up outstanding statistics, he pursued the NFL.
After college, while working out for teams, he found financial services, which checked off all the boxes he was looking for. A competitive job, where good money can be made and your performance incentives how much you will make. Chris started on this path when he was called to try out for a team in the CFL. Midway through, he questioned what he was doing. Chris had been chasing an NFL Dream for 2 years at this point. In the middle of the try out with Saskatchewan, Chris felt ready to move on, never looked back. Chris has a lot more to say on this topic, he believes to have an end game in mind while you are playing.
Find a career of interest, where your skillset matches. Feeling passion, enthusiasm, and happiness are important. Explore options , put together your next move, as athletes we all understand sports will end, and often it's not our choice.
Chris discusses how he can tell a difference from normal stress to heading towards depression. Not being a mental health counselor, in his opinion, self-awareness is critical. You know yourself best, feeling something is off, or out of character, can be signs of more going on. Stay proactive, see a professional, having awareness is powerful. If a problem exists, you are receiving help, staying on top of things. Not doing anything or waiting can cause symptoms to grow worse, making recovery longer.
We also discuss Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby having an injunction against the NCAA approved, allowing him to play this season. A judge in Texas ruled in his favor, however, the rest of the NCAA was furious. Recent developments show the NCAA filed suit in Federal court, saying the Big 12 Conference can govern themselves how they choose. Which changed Sorsby's course, he now dismissed his lawsuit and will enter the NFL Supplemental Draft on June 22nd