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Former Tiger Joseph Barksdale opens up about his depression
Posted on 2/5/18 at 6:28 pm
Posted on 2/5/18 at 6:28 pm
quote:
Joe Barksdale has severe depression and considered suicide as recently as three months ago. The Chargers right tackle decided to share his story in hopes of helping others.
“If I could save another person, maybe that’s why the attempts [to harm myself] didn’t work,” Barksdale told Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
Barksdale, 29, was physically, emotionally and sexually abused as a child, he told Woike, and he has fought his demons since. He calls his severe depression the “monkey” on his back and now takes medication and attends therapy to make it day by day.
He also has turned to music, learning to play the guitar and recently released his first album, “Butterflies, Rainbows & Moonbeams.”
“Some days, you can talk yourself out of it. Some days, you can’t. Some days, it just feels impossible,” Barksdale said. “This is who I am. I am as depressed as I am black.”
In November, Barksdale cried in the training room after finding out he would miss the next game against Jacksonville after injuring his foot in a fight with a teammate. When he got home, Barksdale said he picked up a knife. His wife, Brionna, talked him out of killing himself.
“If I let myself get sad, like really sad, it can go really bad places — like I could not be here tomorrow,” Barksdale said.
[link]LINK ]
This post was edited on 2/5/18 at 6:59 pm
17
Posted on 2/5/18 at 6:33 pm to tduecen
Hope he can cope, seems like a good guy.
ETA: posting this is a good idea, as I'm sure his Tiger fam will show the love.
ETA: posting this is a good idea, as I'm sure his Tiger fam will show the love.
This post was edited on 2/5/18 at 6:46 pm
Posted on 2/5/18 at 6:34 pm to tduecen
That sucks. Glad he is getting the help he needs.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 7:19 pm to tduecen
Big Joe, if you see this thread I hope you know there are a lot of LSU fans and your former teammates who hold you in the highest esteem. You are in my prayers.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 7:32 pm to tduecen
I’ve suffered and I’ve had the most loving family ever, must be so much harder for those who have been abused.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 7:34 pm to tduecen
quote:
In November, Barksdale cried in the training room after finding out he would miss the next game against Jacksonville after injuring his foot in a fight with a teammate. When he got home, Barksdale said he picked up a knife. His wife, Brionna, talked him out of killing himself.
Damn he was in a dark place, good to see that he's getting help, he's a hell of a player.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 7:41 pm to AA77
It doesn't matter who you are it can be debilitating. Pray for the best for him.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 7:46 pm to bobbyleewilliams
quote:
Big Joe, if you see this thread I hope you know there are a lot of LSU fans and your former teammates who hold you in the highest esteem. You are in my prayers.
Ditto! Amen!
There are many people out there that are depressed and are too afraid to bring it up with someone else. Emotional abuse is a terrible killer. Emotional issues are rampant with so many people. If you feel depressed DON'T stuff it. It ain't going away, ok?
Joe sounds like he has a good woman by his side. Jesus loves you as much as anyone else on this planet.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 8:19 pm to Shoalwater Cat
Prayers sent up, sounds like he has a hell of a woman in his life, that always helps.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 8:27 pm to bobbyleewilliams
quote:
Big Joe, if you see this thread I hope you know there are a lot of LSU fans and your former teammates who hold you in the highest esteem. You are in my prayers.
This this this.
Joe, you impressed all of us when you enrolled early as the first Tiger ever from the state of Michigan, something I know made Coach Miles especially proud.
Then, despite being one of the best defensive lineman prospects in the country, you selflessly switched to the offensive side of the ball and became an important contributor in winning the national championship, again something that must have been a special bond for you and Coach Miles. You bolstered that depleted unit over the next three years and represented the purple and gold with class all the way to the NFL, where you continue to be a special talent.
You are smart man, with many talents far beyond the gridiron. And most importantly, you have a family that needs you to be the strong presence that you may have missed out on in your young life. They deserve to know you, and you deserve to see all the great things they will go on to achieve in their lives.
You have given them opportunities that many parents can only dream that they could provide for their children, and for that you should have well deserved pride. Now allow yourself to be a part of everything that this life has to offer them and yourself.
But no words do better justice to what you have left to accomplish on this Earth than your own:
quote:
”I want to be a Hall of Fame right tackle,” Barksdale said. “I want to be the best dad in the world to my daughter, the best husband I can be, the best brother I can be, the best friend. I want to reach my goals and still be a good human, if that makes sense. …
LINK
Tiger Nation is proud of you, and wishes all the best for you and your family.
FOREVER LSU
This post was edited on 2/5/18 at 8:51 pm
Posted on 2/5/18 at 8:40 pm to tduecen
Joe, if you see this, remember one thing:
You are not, will never be, and have done enough to ever be considered a failure.
No injury, missed assignment, or day that you don't feel like you can face the world will ever change that.
You do not have to live up to anyone else's standard now. Those days are gone. You are you, and that's more than any of us can ever ask for.
You are not, will never be, and have done enough to ever be considered a failure.
No injury, missed assignment, or day that you don't feel like you can face the world will ever change that.
You do not have to live up to anyone else's standard now. Those days are gone. You are you, and that's more than any of us can ever ask for.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 8:42 pm to tduecen
shite, man, I wish depression was something that was easier to understand. How do you help someone when what they're going through makes no sense to you whatsoever?
Posted on 2/5/18 at 10:00 pm to tduecen
Joe, it seems like you've learned a lot. You've learned the academic Vs athletic. You've learned the A Vs the C. Raise your child the best you know how. I'm a baseball guy. I played public school in new Orleans. I can beat the best but I did not play the best. Raise your young to be the best. Pm me if you want to chat. I'm your senior. Your young is our future
Posted on 2/5/18 at 10:15 pm to tduecen
I met Joe in his first fall semester. Very, very intelligent dude. I hope he gets through this.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 10:18 pm to tduecen
This is the real shite in life. Deserves a sticky. A true Tiger willing to share his story that could save a life.
Posted on 2/5/18 at 10:38 pm to tduecen
Unfortunately, sometimes all the support in the world doesn’t make a difference.
Depression is an evil and taxing disorder.
It has a mind of its own, and can control even the strongest people.
It’s a day by day situation that can be maintained, but never truly dismissed.
So glad he has found help with medication and therapy.
He will fight this for the rest of his life, we can only hope he has more better days than bad.
Joe, you’re not alone, buddy. Do things you enjoy, talk about it as much as you can and never give up. You can still live a meaniful life and find happiness.
Tiger Nation loves you!
Depression is an evil and taxing disorder.
It has a mind of its own, and can control even the strongest people.
It’s a day by day situation that can be maintained, but never truly dismissed.
So glad he has found help with medication and therapy.
He will fight this for the rest of his life, we can only hope he has more better days than bad.
Joe, you’re not alone, buddy. Do things you enjoy, talk about it as much as you can and never give up. You can still live a meaniful life and find happiness.
Tiger Nation loves you!
This post was edited on 2/5/18 at 10:39 pm
Posted on 2/5/18 at 11:13 pm to LSUcajun77
Prayers to him in his struggle. Depression is a weird thing. I have had my moments like many others have but never anywhere near the point where suicide crossed my mind. I used to be very hard in my opinion of suicide and people who attempt it. But as I have gotten older my views have changed. I still think it is one of the most selfish acts a person can commit. But at the same time. I cannot fathom the shear hopelessness and dispair one must feel to want to take their own life.
Posted on 2/6/18 at 5:27 am to TigerLunatik
quote:
shite, man, I wish depression was something that was easier to understand. How do you help someone when what they're going through makes no sense to you whatsoever?
Many people feel this way and to a great extent you are right. Sometimes people don't need help at all - just someone to listen to them.
Posted on 2/6/18 at 5:38 am to tduecen
Joe is such a cool dude. Been a fan of his for awhile. Not just a good football player but a funny and talented guy. He always posts pitures and videos of him pranking and messing with his teammates. I payed some games with him on playstation awhile back. Really hope he finds his peace. You have alot going for you Joe, tiger fans, YOUR fans are proud of you and wish you the best.
Posted on 2/6/18 at 5:51 am to tduecen
Prayers for Joe
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