Former Georgia football head coach Mark Richt has shown us countless times how much he truly loves the guys who played for him. That love once again came to the forefront as a local news channel did a story with him and one of his former players.
Miles Garrett of Fox 5 News featured him and Tra Battle to discuss Battle’s struggles after finishing his football career.
As college football evolves, something that thankfully continues to become more acceptable is players talking about their mental health struggles.
This story reminded me of when this happened in real life and not fully understanding what all of this meant. Battle’s story hits home and shows how ahead of the times Richt was.
As we are all likely going through our own mental struggles with a pandemic and just life in general, it’s good to see another athlete stepping forward to tell their story.
Georgia football coach Mark Richt was supportive of his players to another level.
I’m not saying he led the mental health train in student-athletes, but his players knew if they weren’t okay, Richt’s door was open for them always.
We’ve begun to see this trend more often when professional and college athletes take a stand with their mental health. From Simone Biles during the summer Olympics to fellow Olympian Micahel Phelps, professional tennis player Naomi Osaka and many others are putting their mental health at the forefront.
They are telling the next generation that it is okay not to be okay, and that message is something that needs to be said to athletes. It hasn’t always been like this, and still, many people struggle because no one wants to get judged or feel like they’re making an excuse.
Battle played college football when players were perceived as being these tough, hard-nosed guys without any emotions. However, that is just false. Everyone has feelings and should be able to express them.
One of the things that spoke the loudest in that video was Richt saying, you can win and love your players. Teaching them just to block and tackle without the other side isn’t doing them justice.
When this situation happened, it came during a time when Battle lost two teammates, and the weight was just too much. Battle didn’t know where he fit in without being a football player, and those emotions he spoke about just break your heart. He called Richt and the head coach knew what to do, and that was to show him love.
Richt loved his players, which is one of the many reasons he was such a great coach. He pulled stuff out of his guys that not every coach could, and it’s evident that still rings true to this day. Sometimes, a player needs a little love and compassion to get through the day or a tough time, and Richt did that for Battle.
Suicide, unfortunately, has become something that gets heard more about because so many feel they have no one to turn to, and that in itself is sad. Student-athletes have such a unique life, and not everyone gets that inconsiderate words or actions that can genuinely affect them.
It takes nothing to be kind and to show compassion for someone going through a tough time. Richt is a walking example that kindness and being there can save a life. He is a damn good dawg and always will be. This story may hit home for so many people that don’t want to talk about it, and that’s okay too, but maybe it’ll also help.
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.