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May 16, 2024

“Making Your Mental Health a Priority: Allen Iverson”

“Making Your Mental Health a Priority: Allen Iverson”

  “Making Your Mental Health a Priority: Allen Iverson”

With great success, comes great responsibility for those who conquer their aspirations and dreams. A lot of times, we see our favorite athletes and celebrities on camera, playing field, and press conferences. For Allen Iverson, one of the more iconic, ruthless basketball players to ever grace the hardwood; he gave us a memorable press conference. Nobody could’ve expected it to be viral and relevant with today’s athletes. Let’s rewind the clock back to May 7 th , 2002, and start here. The 2001-02 Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from postseason contention. Losing to Eastern conference rival Boston Celtics in round one. A colossal failure for a team who played in the 2001 NBA Finals versus eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers. After taking a “B-squad” Sixers to the finals and winning MVP, Allen Iverson’s exit interview became more than just entertainment. It was a cry for how he really felt upon sitting up and addressing the media.

It was during that press conference nobody expected and presumed as egomaniacal shots at his performance. But for some, nobody knew the backstory of his life started to unravel from personal tragedy. As he sat and started his presser: “We sitting in here -- I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen: We talking about practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last. Not the game. We talking about practice, man." Reporters and sports media personalities found amusement; while others watched his true colors reveal with every line. Allen Iverson was hurting, but no outlet to seek help. The smallest player on the court, who played with a big heart felt agony and pain. AI suffered the loss of his best friend Rahsaan Langeford, who was gunned down seven months earlier. Iverson struggled to cope with the loss as it lingered over him during the 2001-02 season. One of the game’s best players found himself fighting for sanity, while dealing with media scrutiny.

After the comedy of “practice,” Iverson became more serious and vulnerable: "I'm upset for one reason: 'Cause I'm in here. I lost. I lost my best friend. I lost him, and I lost this year. Everything is just going downhill for me, as far as just that. You know, as far as my life. And then I'm dealing with this. ... My best friend is dead. Dead. And we lost. And this is what I have to go through for the rest of the summer until the season is all over again." What the media didn’t show was Iverson’s humility and reasoning for how he felt. All we’ve seen and heard for many years for sports content, motivational references, however it’s presented. He was over and done with the 2002 season. Nothing he could’ve done to erase the moment of crying for help yet ridiculed for ranting about “practice.”

A young man who dealt with the media calling him every name but his right name. A culture icon whose legacy paved the way for hoopers growing up in the 2000s. Being authentic with yourself and not caring what others thought. For one moment in time, “The Question didn’t have an Answer.” Many athletes struggle with facing the stigma of mental health. When athletes play their sport to the highest level, it takes a toll on them. Personal tragedy took an emotional turn of events for Iverson. Losing in the postseason, a best friend gunned down, facing media criticism for failing to advance, all of this was a silent battle which he couldn’t run from. It takes heart and vulnerability to sit and vent regardless if anyone is listening. Iverson let it out and the perception will always be “practice.”
The overall message several years later resonates to many athletes and human beings who’ve battled mental health issues. You may be fighting this battle, but always know it’s okay to not be okay. Iverson didn’t have the resources to help him navigate a turbulent moment. The stigma surrounding mental health wasn’t discussed openly like today. Athletes played through their emotions and fought for acceptance behind closed doors.

Money, fame, celebrity status wasn’t bringing back Iverson’s best friend; but showing a side of his humility was overlooked by the media. When your coach utters the “Iverson Practice Rant,” it’s quoted like memorable lines in your favorite film. For AI, this was a genuine moment which gave a sense of “Hey, I’m the best player in the game; but my mental health is hurting.” In the end, taking time to address your well-being is more crucial than ever. No matter what happens, take time to watch the full interview and understand Iverson’s true emotions.
As always, continue to make your mental health a priority.
Stai tuned.