Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson is pretty open for his mental health struggles on- and off-field, but his advocacy for mental health awareness has been nothing short of full support.
Johnson’s list of accolades includes Super Bowl LII champion, two-time first-team All-Pro, two-time second-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl nominee, second-team All-Big 12, Senior Bowl HOF member and Senior Bowl 75th Anniversary Team member. The 2013 fourth overall pick is no stranger to battling depression and anxiety, regardless of his esteemed 11-year success with the Eagles.
Though he’s been recently open about his mental health, Johnson has “lived in hell” battling these mental health issues since his high school playing days.
“It started, probably, during my senior year in high school. I went to a very small high school. I only had 30 kids in my graduating class, so it was easy to get overlooked. At the time, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to get a scholarship offer [to play college football].” Johnson said, according to CNBC.
“[At first], I didn’t know what it was. I just knew that it affected my eating, and I felt I was on edge all the time. Your body is in a constant state of high alertness and your body can never decompress. I could never turn the off-switch from football.
He soon figured out what the issues were when he played at University of Oklahoma. He was met with immense support from teammates, coaches and his community.
Johnson described how playing at any level, but especially a high-stakes NFL career, clashed with his mental health.
″[My job feels like] you are jumping out of an airplane, and you don’t know if you have a parachute on or not,” Johnson tells CNBC Make It.
Johnson’s mental health issues were made public in 2021 when he missed three games due to dealing with mental health issues while weaning off of antidepressants. The process, called discontinuation syndrome, is common for those looking to get off of the medication. The managing process for this syndrome falls in line with what was right for Johnson to do: be off the field to alleviate pressure those three games.
Putting his pride aside, Johnson addressed the issues publicly in October 2021, releasing an emotional statement on Twitter about his mental health struggles.
His Twitter post was met with loads of support from his teammates, and especially, the fans.
Today, Johnson continues to make strides for mental health advocacy. In 2023, Johnson supported The 98 Fund and the Brian Bill Foundation, two organizations focusing on the well-being of veterans, especially those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Emphasizing the point of full community support, former Eagles center Jason Kelce spoke highly of Johnson’s character when he was nominated for 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“I think Lane’s on top of that. Just seeing him go through things in life, and stuff’s hard sometimes – in the building, out of the building – it can really challenge you. I think he’s responded beautifully, and I’m really proud of him for what he’s overcome and pushed through.” Kelce said.
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