Former Kansas City Chiefs star running back Jamaal Charles has shared his struggles with depression, revealing that he faced suicidal thoughts after retiring from the NFL.
Charles, who played nine seasons with the Chiefs and had brief stints with the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars, officially ended his career in 2019 by signing a ceremonial one-day contract with Kansas City. He retired at the age of 32, a transition that he found incredibly challenging.
Speaking on the NFL’s ‘Second Acts’ podcast, Charles, now 37, opened up about his mental health battles post-retirement. “My mind wasn’t there. I checked out,” he said. “My body wasn’t the same. It’s like, what do I do next? I just went into basically a dark side. Nobody reached out to help guide me to transition to life after football.”
Charles also revealed financial struggles that exacerbated his mental health issues. “I went to work with investment people and it didn’t go well. I started to lose money, which made me really depressive and suicidal.”
RELATED: Chiefs Wide Receiver Rashee Rice Breaks His Silence on Offseason Legal Troubles
Seeking professional help was a turning point for Charles. He emphasized the importance of therapy in his recovery. “At that time I did get therapy, and it’s nothing wrong. I talked to a therapist about suicidal thoughts and the hard times,” he recounted. “I still attend therapy today.”
Charles was a standout performer during his NFL career, drafted by the Chiefs in the third round in 2008. He earned two First-Team All-Pro selections and was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times. In the 2013 season, he tied with Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch for the most rushing touchdowns at 12.
Despite his success in Kansas City, Charles struggled to find the same form with Denver and Jacksonville before ultimately deciding to retire from the sport. His journey highlights the significant challenges athletes often face when transitioning out of professional sports.
