ESPNs NBA Analyst, @realjaywilliams did a big solid for the world of MH, yesterday.
Jay, who’s been a vocal critic of Ben Simmons – the oft-maligned NBA player, whose actions have been questioned by fans/media types alike, took a stand now defending him.
Jay shared he’s been privy to insider convos abt how Ben’s actually doing. He did not absolve Ben of how he talks to the media, shows up at games/looking certain ways, or how he/his team have explained his situation. However he did draw a line in the sand that when someone’s struggling mentally, we have to show support.
I’ve shared my story here, often. But usually bc of the space limitations, I can’t get so deep. I’m gonna get even more vulnerable than usual. When my MH started plummeting in FL as CRO of the Panthers, I literally could not function as a human being. Some examples:
– To say bye to my staff, it was in the middle of an all sales floor mtg, & I could barely muster the words other than – “I have to take off but hope to be back.”
– My parents were down in FL helping me & I couldn’t look at a menu, get on the phone & order a meal – literally like my brain & mouth weren’t connected.
– I was agoraphobic – couldn’t leave my apt – felt like seeing another person was like kryptonite.
– Feared the phone ringing, that my office would ask questions abt something I’d left behind, & I’d have no answer.
– Had to be hand-held into the cab & on a plane to get back to NY…& seeing the 1st therapist – he told my parents he couldn’t perform psychotherapy bc I wasn’t capable of engaging in convo at that pt.
Why share this detail? If my system could shut down like that – & continue for 2.5 yrs, why can’t it happen to Simone Biles to even 1/10th that level, preventing her from landing vaults? Why can’t it be something that ACTUALLY prevents Simmons from performing on a court in front of millions?
I’m not absolving Ben of all wrongdoings. But if he’s dealing w ANYTHING close to the emotional dysregulation I described – how can we not be sympathetic at all? You can be a pubic figure, not handle the PR angle well, but STILL struggle immensely. We ALL can struggle like that.
