New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba recently responded to critical comments from Pasha Eshghi, a contributor to the Barstool Sports podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets.”
In a discussion about the Rangers’ playoff loss to the Florida Panthers, Eshghi harshly criticized Trouba’s on-ice performance and made personal attacks regarding his off-ice activities, which include founding an arts program for adults with epilepsy and seizures with his wife, who is a neuroscience major.
Eshghi’s critique escalated beyond sports analysis, as he accused Trouba of hypocrisy and called into question his character. “Is there a bigger hypocritical scumbag in the league than Jacob Trouba?” Eshghi asked, criticizing Trouba for his playing style and his role as a captain, while also making disparaging remarks about his and his wife’s efforts to support those with epilepsy through art.
Trouba responded to these comments on June 5, referencing the recent tragedy of PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray, who died by suicide after a public struggle with mental health issues. Trouba highlighted this incident to emphasize the need for more sensitive handling of personal issues. “Suicide rates have doubled in the past 20 years in U.S. college athletes,” Trouba noted, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing mental health and the impact of harsh public criticism.
RELATED: Details On Grayson Murray’s Death Emerge Just Days After He Tragically Took His Own Life
He pointed out, “11 days ago, a PGA Tour golfer tragically took his own life after a mental health battle and people asked how that was possible. We must do better than this.”
Grayson Murray had been candid about his mental health struggles, expressing in 2017, “Everyone is battling their own battle every day. Some hide it well and some don’t. The first step to finding help is admitting you need it. Luckily I admitted I needed help for depression and anxiety a few years ago and it saved my life. It’s something I battle every day. It doesn’t go away, it will never go away but there are ways to control it.”
Trouba’s response highlights the broader context of personal attacks and their potential impacts, underscoring the importance of respect and understanding in public discourse.
