O.J. Murdock commits suicide

[Mick Chicken]

Originally Posted by Rebel4ever

Why do these young people do this? Only in their 20's, McKinley and Murdock, and just losing hope. It's sad to see young people just give up on life.

It is. It's sad to know that these young men couldn't work through whatever it was that was troubling them. It's never that bad...but it sucks they just couldn't see past it...

[MEL]

Another young man gone too soon. I also wish there was some type of program these young men could go into that would help them transition and to give them some type of mental therapy if they have an injury that ends their season. Depression often hits between the ages of 18-25 and most people won't get help. It doesn't mean that everybody with depression will off themselves. That depends on the individual circumstances. My heart aches for his family & friends.

[21-in-Right]

Originally Posted by behindenemylines

Ok here is my soapbox. These athletes put their heart and soul into a violent sport. I think they are challenged when it comes to the realization that their dreams might be coming to an end due to injuries or being cut in the pros. Add to the fact that we already know if issues from the contact over the years and the depression it leads to. There should be programs for these young men transition into becoming a part of everyday society once their playing days are over.

Not to turn a tribute thread into one of debate, but one comment on that... NFL players or aspiring football players are not the only people who find life challenging or disappointing. There are people out there trying to portray football as a career as dangerous as coal mining.

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that people from all walks of life commit suicide. There are unfortunately people eager to make the next NFL player who commits suicide into proof that "something must be done about football," when, in reality, NFL players may not do it anymore frequently than the rest of the population.

[Rebel4ever]

Originally Posted by MEL

Another young man gone too soon. I also wish there was some type of program these young men could go into that would help them transition and to give them some type of mental therapy if they have an injury that ends their season. Depression often hits between the ages of 18-25 and most people won't get help. It doesn't mean that everybody with depression will off themselves. That depends on the individual circumstances. My heart aches for his family & friends.

There are places that help with depression. I was depressed around 18-23 but I pulled myself together and never considered suicide as an option. As far as these young people who won't get help, they can't admit it to other people they are depressed, I didn't but pulled myself together. The ones who can't and won't seek help, I think are too proud to admit the are depressed and pride is one of those seven deadlys.

[21-in-Right]

Originally Posted by Rebel4ever

There are places that help with depression. I was depressed around 18-23 but I pulled myself together and never considered suicide as an option. As far as these young people who won't get help, they can't admit it to other people they are depressed, I didn't but pulled myself together. The ones who can't and won't seek help, I think are too proud to admit the are depressed and pride is one of those seven deadlys.

With all due respect, there are different levels of depression. It's not that you either have it or you don't. You're painting with an awfully broad brush to think everybody can overcome it the same way you did or that they aren't suffering more than you. It ain't that simple. If you can't imagine being suicidal, it's because you're not suicidal.

[garnetmike]

Originally Posted by Mookie9

What does his character have to do with this situation? I hope you weren't implying ending his life was another lack of judgement.

Huh?

I would think that CHARACTER and lack of judgement have EVERYTHING to do with this situation. Strong character and better judgement would not have placed him in this position in life that had him so desperate to have ended his own life. The fact that he had an Achilles tendon injury didn't cause his depression. It was the last trigger to make him act on it...maybe. ...or maybe it was yet something else...

[Mookie9]

Originally Posted by garnetmike

Huh?

I would think that CHARACTER and lack of judgement have EVERYTHING to do with this situation. Strong character and better judgement would not have placed him in this position in life that had him so desperate to have ended his own life. The fact that he had an Achilles tendon injury didn't cause his depression. It was the last trigger to make him act on it...maybe. ...or maybe it was yet something else...

Wow, you sure know a lot about his situation... but, of course, you just said you could be mistaken.

[SpockCock]

Originally Posted by Rebel4ever

I can't say I ever considered suicide but I was down enough to understand why someone would entertain thoughts like that. No I never acted on it but I was down enough to where I did understand why someone would commit suicide if they were weak enough. I didn't mention that in my other posts but I don't think I'm painting it with a broad brush. To kill yourself is weakness or too prideful to admit depression to get help. Just my upbringing. Suicide is weakness and selfishness. Can't change my mind as I'm sure I can't and don't want to change your feelings on this issue. I think in principal we could find some common ground on the issue of suicide though.

Ok. Before this thread gets closed, 2 things, and all religion aside: First, clinical depression is an ILLNESS, not a WEAKNESS. Its due to a very real chemical imbalance that is usually treatable with modern medicine. It is NOT because of life choices. In fact, it works the other way... a mental illness can result in poor life choices. Lets get out of the dark ages here.

Second:

Originally Posted by Mookie9

Wow, you sure know a lot about his situation... but, of course, you just said you could be mistaken.

Mookie man, you're only 5 posts old and not making any friends. I'd chill for a bit and start some positive threads / replies.

[GamecockUltimate]

sorry but killing yourself is never the answer, prayers to the family but what a waste of life.

[usc90grad]

Read that he was a no show at training camp that started this past weekend. So sounds like he was dealing with whatever was going on before he killed himself. We will probably never know all the details.

[garnet_black215]

Sad, sad, terrible news. Prayers for his family and the pain they must be going through.

May God comfort them.

[RGHoskins]

May he rest in peace.

[COCKDIESEL]

Very sad to hear. I had high hopes for OJ when we recruited him. It's sad to see a young life ended so tragically.

[EazyCock]

Alot of athletes lose their idenitity and purpose and worth when their playing days end and cant deal with it. They value their life on their success as a player. Whether injury or retirement like jr seau...and sports was their outlet and after its over they feel worthless and hopeless as their identity and success that they invested is over and they cant cope with it. Some turn to drugs and alchohol...it takes balls to kill yourself. Cant imagine feeling like thats an option. But im sorry it happend but all cases are different and some cant cope or find an outlet or adapt to society with being normal aside from always being a athlete etc. But i hope that these suicides can do some good and cause awareness for these star athletes to speak out and get help but its a touchy subject but well never understand what really was the problem but i just hate to see anybody esp. A young person commit suicide. But i think im right about coping and not having an outlet and dealing with losing your idenity causing depressn

[EazyCock]

Just like milton bradley in mlb. He took time off and got help when facing this. Herschel walker had issues but found new challenges to help him cope and have an outlet for his anger. Im suprised a guy like TO hasnt done this...its sad to say. But the attention along with the pressure is tough and some guys play because they love the game. Some just because they have the talent and they can make the money. Either way all that play and end up getting injured or retire lose their identity and cant deal with it and lose that comrodery? With being on a team etc and feel alone so they cant deal with it. Just sad they feel hopless and dont get help when there is life after sports if they can get treatment and adjust to being a regular joe. Rip oj. sad day...

[4Ever2Thee]

So sad

[Carolina22]

Originally Posted by garnetmike

Huh?

I would think that CHARACTER and lack of judgement have EVERYTHING to do with this situation. Strong character and better judgement would not have placed him in this position in life that had him so desperate to have ended his own life. The fact that he had an Achilles tendon injury didn't cause his depression. It was the last trigger to make him act on it...maybe. ...or maybe it was yet something else...

Its pointless speculating why he did what he did, there is no way of us ever really knowing what caused it. Could've been lack of character/judgement but thats an awful bold statement when you only know very little facts about the kid's life and situation.

[Spur's Addiction]

Wow just saw this. RIP

[Travelin]

Originally Posted by USCremedy

He offed himself infront of his former high school? Crazy..sad news. I'll never understand how things can get so bad that death is a better option.

It's called deep depression.

RIP OJ and condolences to his family and peers.

[Cocklover]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...7061--nfl.html