“Billy Donovan is talking and it’s muffled” – Andre Drummond on FIGHT with mental health

Chicago Bulls' Andre Drummond opens up about Mental Health struggles

“Billy Donovan is talking and it’s muffled” – Andre Drummond on FIGHT with mental health

Andre Drummond (image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond recently made a heartfelt confession about his personal struggles with mental health in an interview on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast. Known for his tough attitude on the court and his dominant playing style, Drummond’s public admission sheds light on the challenges faced by professional athletes.

In the interview, Drummond emphasized the importance of mental health for athletes, highlighting how they often assume the role of a protector, provider, and caretaker for those around them. He acknowledged that this mentality often leads to neglecting their own well-being, gradually accumulating mental clutter without addressing their own issues.

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“I got to a point where I was just like not happy with myself like I remember like during the pandemic I’ll look at myself in the mirror I’m like damn who the [ __ ] is this guy.”

He continued: “We were in Los Angeles as a team we’re getting ready to play the Lakers and I remember I was sitting in the locker room and I was just like numb like we were getting ready to run out and I remember Billy Donovan is like talking and like it’s like muffled like I can’t hear anything I’m just like numb like I’m just in this psych mode where I just can’t feel anything and I was like yo something’s wrong I was like I think I’m about to break”

The breaking point for Drummond came during his time with the Chicago Bulls when he took a break from the team due to mental health concerns. He described a moment in the locker room before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers when he felt numb and disconnected. As his coach addressed the team, Drummond sensed a close breakdown, and he retreated to a hallway where he broke down and cried for nearly 20 minutes.

Related:“Could have been worst travel” Andre Drummond leaves fans in splits after throwing ‘peace sign’ before dunk

Andre Drummond’s journey towards self-care and healing

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Drummond reflects on the societal expectations placed upon men, particularly in professional sports, where they are often discouraged from expressing vulnerability or seeking help. He admitted the belief that as a successful athlete with wealth, fame, and a seemingly perfect life, he had no right to complain or be unhappy. This mindset contributed to the suppression of his emotions, leading to an overwhelming mental burden.

Recognizing the need to prioritize his own well-being, Drummond now actively works on practising mental gratitude, self-love, and finding peace within himself. He acknowledged that this journey is an ongoing process and that he still struggles with redirecting his focus from caring for others to prioritizing his own needs.

“I get to a point where I can you know fix something instead of worrying about myself and that’s where I’m at now of really just practicing my own mental gratitude and being thankful and being you know at peace and finding my own way of uh self-love.“

As Andre Drummond continues his basketball career with the Chicago Bulls, he hopes that his story will inspire others to take their mental health seriously and seek the assistance they may require.

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