Why Athletes Need to Speak Out

Professional athletes have long been admired for their physical strength, discipline, and performance under pressure. Millions look up to them—not just for their achievements on the field or court, but also for the values they represent, like perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. In recent years, however, a new kind of leadership has emerged—one rooted not in victory, but in vulnerability. 

“ I think it's very important that people in that kind of position to use their platform to discuss this topic,,” said Justin Lanza, former college baseball player at Wheaton College.

 Since 2020, a growing number of athletes have begun to speak openly about their mental health struggles, including prominent names like Naomi Osaka, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Drew Robinson. Their courage is helping redefine what it means to be strong, using their platforms to challenge stigma and spark a vital conversation that extends far beyond the world of sports. It is as important as ever for athletes to continue to use their platform to break down the stigma surrounding mental health struggles in sports.

The world of sports is a high-pressure, intensely competitive arena where athletes are expected to deliver peak performance—physically, mentally, and emotionally—often with little margin for error. Whether it's the drive to impress fans, meet family expectations, or secure a spot at the next level, the unspoken rule has long been to stay quiet, push through, and keep grinding. 

“ We're supposed to bottle up our emotions and stuff like that. And it's really hard to talk about, it's still hard for me to talk about that stuff,” said Nathan Gaines, former college tennis player at Hocking College. 

"Researchers from Drexel and Kean University gathered data from over 465 Division I athletes regarding mental health symptoms.

Conversations about the emotional and psychological toll of this pressure have historically been minimal, if acknowledged at all. But in recent years, that silence has started to break, as more athletes bravely speak out about the mental health challenges they face behind the scenes.

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Simone Biles made headlines not for the medals she won, but for the ones she chose not to compete for. She withdrew from several events after experiencing a condition known as the "twisties"—a dangerous mental block that affects spatial awareness. Her decision to step back, especially on the world’s biggest sporting stage, sparked widespread conversation as Biles openly shared her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.

For many, it was difficult to comprehend that someone as seemingly invincible as Biles could face such challenges. Yet, by choosing transparency over silence, she used her platform to help normalize mental health struggles. When people see their heroes battling the same issues they face, it breaks down stigma and empowers others to speak up and seek help.

Like Biles, Drew Robinson made headlines in 2020 for his powerful and inspirational story on ESPN written By Jeff Passan. Once a highly regarded prospect for the Texas Rangers, Robinson struggled to find his footing in the major leagues and began battling severe depression. On April 16, 2020, in a moment of despair, he attempted to take his own life. Incredibly, he survived the gunshot wound and, a day later, called for help. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Despite losing his right eye, Robinson made a courageous return to professional baseball in 2021, playing at the Triple-A level. Later that year, he retired and took on a new role with the San Francisco Giants—as a mental health advocate, using his story to inspire hope and raise awareness about mental health struggles in and beyond the world of sports.

Courtesy of Wikimediacommons.org

Though he’s stepped away from playing professionally, Robinson remains a passionate advocate for mental health. He founded the Better Universe Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and expanding access to mental health resources for those in need. Robinson continues to use his platform—not just to share his own story, but to break down stigma and amplify the voices of those who may feel unheard. 

Drew Robinson's first home run with one eye after his failed suicide attempt.

Panic attacks and anxiety are common struggles for many people, yet they often remain hidden due to fear and stigma. In 2018, NBA star Kevin Love made the brave decision to break that silence. In a deeply personal essay for The Players’ Tribune, Love revealed that he had suffered a panic attack during halftime of a game in 2017. His article shed light on one of the most difficult aspects of mental health: the fear of speaking out. “I want to do it for me,” he wrote, “but mostly, I want to do it because people don’t talk about mental health enough. And men and boys are probably the farthest behind.” 

"Kevin Love was my favorite player growing up, second only to LeBron. Hearing him speak out and help break the stigma around mental health truly saved my life during a time when I felt dark and alone," said Nate Stufano, former Division III college basketball player at Suny New Paltz

Love’s honesty resonated with countless fans and fellow athletes, and like Biles and Robinson, he has continued to use his platform to challenge outdated norms and encourage others—especially young men—to seek help. Together, these athletes are helping to redefine strength, showing that vulnerability is not weakness, but a powerful step toward healing.

Athletes are not obligated to use their platforms for anything beyond their sport. They are not required to speak out, inspire social change, or confront deeply personal challenges in the public eye. Yet, individuals like Drew Robinson, Simone Biles, and Kevin Love have made the courageous choice to do just that. They have stepped beyond their roles as elite competitors to become advocates for mental health, using their influence and visibility to confront a silent struggle that affects millions. 

“I feel more comfortable in speaking out and sharing my struggles when I see a big athlete speak up about the same issues, it makes me feel like I’m not alone,” said Bruce Kuntz, a pitcher at the University of California Long Beach. 

“Athletes are the key in helping break this stigma surrounding mental health in sports,” said Chris Falk, a former high school baseball player. 

 By sharing their vulnerabilities, they are helping to break down long-standing stigmas and paving the way for more open, honest conversations—both in the sports world and in society at large.