Staff Blog
Shawn Andrews is Clinically Depressed, Getting Back in Uniform
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In news that, to my knowledge, GCobb broke a week ago Shawn Andrews is clinically depressed.
Truth be told this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Remember when the Big Kid left a meeting with the trainer in tears because he had been told he might miss a few weeks? Or his motivation for success two years ago? Fans have always just brushed this off as Shawn being eccentric; turns out it is a bit more serious than that (Oh, a BGN, might be time to take THIS POST down).
Les Bowen has the latest
“I’m willing to admit that I’ve been going through a
very bad time with depression,” the Eagles’ two-time Pro Bowl right guard
said. “I’ve finally decided to get professional help. It’s not something
that blossomed up overnight. I’m on medication, trying to get better.”
Throughout the conversation Andrews spoke of his mental
condition (”I’ve really had a lot on my mind, really (been) contemplating
a lot of things.”) the fines (”That’s a helluva lot of money …
Money’s good, money’s a necessity, but it’s not everything. I can’t put a price
tag on my mental state.”) and what the message boards have been saying (”I
don’t expect sympathy,” he said. “I know there are harsh people in
this world, but dang, that made me feel low. I do care what people think about
me, to an extent.”)
He leads a really public life and coming out and admitting
his problem was a brave and important step (not that Giant or Redskin fans are
going to care). We wish him nothing but
the best treatment, care, and recovery.
Still, at a time like this the only thing to do is focus on that
public life, so from now on out that is what we’re going to do here. After tomorrow’s Rounds we’ll try to avoid
the topic of his mental health and treat him as a talented jersey.
Max Jean-Giles has performed well in his absence, but Max
Jean-Giles is not Shawn Andrews. Even if
Andrews has been working out as hard as he has claimed, missing camp will have
set him back. The team is going to need
him at the top of his game. Lets, as fans and as analysts, try to focus on that
part of his comeback.
Best of luck Big Guy, we’ll be following your progress on the field.
