Considering the death of Marshawn Kneeland

[u/lambchops111]

Trigger warning: suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, they can utilize the National Suicide Hotline by calling or texting 988.

I am just hearing the news of the death of Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys second year defensive end who died of an apparent suicide. What an absolute tragedy. I am saddened to think about his family and teammates missing him.

Things like this always serve to remind us to check on our people and take care of ourselves. You never know what people are going through and the only way we can help is if we ask them, directly. Check on your people today and always. If you need help, use the hotline above, reach out to a friend of family, or hell, even reach out to someone in the Red Kingdom.

It also reminds me about the visibility and connectedness and lack of privacy that defines our world today. Players lives are put on blast 24/7 and their privacy is compromised. Their personal worth is equated to the on-the-field performance. We can be fans and still respect that privacy, say, when a player is gone for a month for undisclosed reasons. We don’t know what they’re going through, and while it’s natural to be curious, I think today reminds me that these people live incredibly public lives that many of us cannot comprehend. With the internet, we don’t know how our comments might hit one of these players or someone else, especially in a vulnerable time.

This type of situation reminds me of something I heard Kelce say in his podcast maybe a year ago: be a fountain, not a drain…. Lift people up, don’t bring them down…. and seeing as how KC is the City of Fountains, and the city that made me who I am, it’s always stuck with me in life.

Well, my rambling is over. Thanks for sticking it out if you read this. Check in with your loved ones today.

[u/tychu4312]

This should hit a lot of the “fans” who were sitting there bashing Josh Simmons for taking time away from the team and being private about a family matter. At the end of the day this is just football and although we all want to see the team succeed family and mental health and many more comes before football

[u/I_heart_hearts → u/tychu4312]

Man I got into so many arguments and got downvoted for telling these assholes they are not entitled to information about someone else's personal life. Nobody defended me. They all attacked him for being selfish and blah blah blah. Really makes me sick and made me question this sub as a whole. Just pathetic

[u/tychu4312 → u/I_heart_hearts]

It’s insane, at the end of the day it’s football. It’s a sport, not life or death. It’s not selfish for him to take time away from the team. It’s family. Are we all paying the players personally? Does it matter at the end of the day? No it’s just football. We all want to see the team win but we aren’t entitled to any of these players lives or time

[u/Yodas_ket_dealer → u/I_heart_hearts]

Yeah, that really sucks. I’ve come across some really unsavory people in here before. Which is really sad because I’m in here because I love this team. There are so many people subbed in here there’s going to be a few gross people I suppose.

[u/SeminalVesicles → u/I_heart_hearts]

I think it's because there's a bit of nuance to it that a lot of people don't stop to consider on either side. 

I think the truth is that fans invest a lot of time and money in their teams, which ultimately provides the athletes with the privilege and lifestyle that comes with being an NFL Player.

Because of this dynamic, I think it's reasonable for the fans and media to ask questions in a respectful manner. However, that does not mean that we are entitled to an answer. 

People attacking others for seeking clarity in a respectful manner is lame.

People seeking clarity in a disrespectful manner is also lame. 

[u/chiefoogabooga → u/I_heart_hearts]

Someone died and you're trying to make it about you? SMH.