Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders key player keeps it real and opens up about previous mental health battles

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated 6/29/24

Mental health battles are no joke, no matter if you are a normal person who isn't a super athlete, or one of these guys who are, like NFL players who are some of the most pristine in the world. Even the Las Vegas Raiders' new running back Alexander Mattison, has dealt with his fair share.

“I was at Boise State, and I went through so much adversity. I had my battle with mental health and I didn't know what mental health was, and I didn't know what resources were. I had no knowledge of this at all. I wanted to quit football, I was ready to walk away from my 4-year scholarship at Boise State Football," Mattison said recently during his youth football camp. "I just feel like I hit a brick wall."

Mattison also went on to tell a story about another collegiate player he knew of who took his own life because of these struggles.

This comes from a guy who has started and played as a backup in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, has had a very successful career, and, does make a lot of money compared to the average person, and even he has had his fair share of struggles.

What Mattison is trying to tell you, is that the person doesn't matter. Anyone can have mental health struggles; everyone can have problems that can be very hard to deal with. Hearing a guy like Mattison talk about the sensitive topic, hopefully reaches some of the kids, if not all of them, as his camp and even some online.

Mental health battles are real, so do not be afraid to ask for help.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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