Eagles Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson announced on Twitter on Monday that he is returning to the team after a three-game absence that he says was so he could work “hard to restore his personal life.” Johnson says that he has dealt with depression and anxiety for a long time while keeping it hidden from friends and family.
“I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and support over the last two weeks. I appreciate the positive notes and messages as I’ve worked hard to restore my personal life. Depression and anxiety are things I’ve dealt with for a long time and have kept hidden from my friends and family. If you’re reading this and struggling, please know that you are not alone.”
I am excited to re-join my teammates and coaches. I’m grateful for the entire Eagles community and look forward to continuing to play in front of the best fans in the world! #FlyEaglesFly”
With Johnson out, the Eagles have moved startling left tackle Jordan Mailata to right tackle, with former first-round pick Andre Dillard starting at left tackle. The pair has played fairly well, but neither would be mistaken for Lane Johnson, who is one of the best tackles in the NFL. The NFL Players Association tweeted out their support of Johnson and linked to their Health and Wellness page, which includes pages about depression and anxiety.
Johnson’s best friend on the team is Brandon Brooks, and Brooks also suffers from severe anxiety that has caused him to miss games in the past. Brooks has credited Johnson with helping him deal with his own anxiety in the past, which makes even more sense now.
For their part, Nick Sirianni and the Eagles organization supported Johnson and kept the reasons for his absence close to the vest. Sirianni even wore a “65” decal on his visor last week as a sign of support for his right tackle. Twitter was flooded with messages of support for Johnson from fans, reporters, the Eagles, the league itself, and even Rob McElhenney:
If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, reach out to friends, family, and doctor for support and to discuss ways to get help.
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Mike Maher is the editor and publisher of The Birds Blitz and Juiced Ball Era. Follow him on Twitter @mikeMaher and @TheBirdsBlitz and check out his Eagles news archive for all of his latest stories about the Eagles and the NFL.
