Welcome ladies and gentlemen to a special series titled: “Making Your Mental Health a Priority” as I delve into sports biggest athletes and superstars. As mental health is a serious topic in sports, the stigma is being broken. As we’ve learned since 2020, the stigma surrounding this issue is more open than ever.
To kickoff this series, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the more “freakish” basketball players we’ve ever seen. A diamond in the rough pick in 2013, his rise to stardom has been a journey. Even with fame came many thoughts of walking away from the NBA. Fresh off his first MVP in 2019 and leading the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals, 2020 became a difficult season for Giannis. Another playoff exit in the Orlando Bubble and racial tension here in America. Away from family in a pandemic was overbearing for everyone involved.
Months away from signing the largest contract extension in NBA history at the time for 5yrs/$228 million dollars; there was uncertainty Giannis could handle the pressures of living up to this historical contract and deliver a championship. He was a two time league MVP and fanned out in the postseason. He went as far to tell the front office he was considering retirement.
Now, you may ask: “One of the game’s rising superstars retiring early and possibly being a bust?” Giannis was struggling with the stigma surrounding mental health. In a sport where highly competitive men with levels of testosterone beyond any galaxy would up and leave for this reason. The media weighed in on his possible departure; but Giannis wanted to win with the team who drafted him.
The pressure was only heavier in part of how Giannis felt moving forward with his career. A silent battle of mental health was creeping in and trying to keep sanity became too much. Between the rise to fame and becoming one of the best players came with public ridicule. Money wasn’t going to cure unhappiness within. Having the richest contract in league history wasn’t a medication for mental health. This resulted in him consulting a therapist.
Giannis is a happy, joyful human being; coming from Greece, his family didn’t have much. He spoke candidly about his father Charles and how close all his brothers were. He understood money was secondary and family was more important. Realizing he wasn’t in a safe space, going to therapy gave him an outlet and saved his career.
Being the player and seeing his personality evolve helped Giannis appreciate all the things basketball has given him. The stigma around mental health allowed him to see how other star athletes such as Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka dealt with their battles of mental health. With that experience with a therapist, a greater purpose led to the “Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation,” dedicated to honor his late father. The mission is to help refugees and immigrants with support to improve living conditions and open pathways for a lot of necessities. Giving them opportunities for empowerment and expanding possibilities for their lives and communities. A great way to rebound off the glass and run down court full throttle for Giannis.
With unknown battles, Giannis literally retired from the stigma of mental health. In a world where athletes must shelter their feelings and compete with every ounce of energy, nothing matters if your mental health is running low. Fame, success, national media can weigh and play a role in your health. Giannis was able to address this and move forward with winning his first NBA championship in 2021; Finals MVP and the franchise’s first title since 1971.
In hindsight, mental health is very important in keeping a safe space and humility for all. Having the awareness to see and understand your worth is the first step to recovery. Athletes are humanistic as we are; we see them as professionals but have issues that’s not talked about. When they walk off the playing field, normalcy is an adjustment to keeping a safe space for those around them.
Be sure to catch the next installment of “Making Your Mental Health a Priority.” Have a great week and take care of your overall health.
Stai tuned.
