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NFL

Titans' A.J. Brown opens up about depression

The wide receiver was candid about his battle against suicidal thoughts.

Update:
Titans' wide receiver A.J. Brown opened up about his battle with depression and the need for more men to be comfortable speaking about their feelings.

Though there is still much work to be done, depression amongst men is finally coming under the spotlight and one NFL star is making his voice heard.

Titans' A.J. talks about depression

In the post Brown opened up about the fact that he himself had contemplated suicide last year. He went on to say that he stopped believing in the idea that better days and would come, instead only focusing on the idea that everything in his life was going wrong. Speaking on Thursday, the 24 year old receiver followed up his own message saying, "I posted the video because I wanted to encourage others to seek help whenever they are down," Brown said. "I didn't take into consideration what depression really was."

Antonio Brown leaned on his friends

As he addressed the darker times in his recent past, Brown talked about New York Jets receiver Elijah Moore as an important person who was there for him during his difficulties. Incidentally, The two were teammates at the University of Mississippi. Brown also thanked family, and Titans coach Mike Vrabel for having his door open to players to talk about anything. Speaking about his player and the scenario, Vrabel said,"I appreciate A.J. [Brown]'s courage. "It is our job, it is part of our job to make sure that they can deal with the stresses of life, the stresses of professional football, the strain it sometimes puts on their family. If you are willing to ask someone how they are doing, be willing to sit there and listen to them. Don't make it a fly-by."

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What happens with Brown now?

Though he declined to give further detail, Brown claimed that his daughter's presence has helped him to come out of the dark place that he was in. Brown went on to say that he is in fact in a much better place today. He was clear about the fact that he is still seeing a therapist. "Us as men, our feelings aren't too much cared about," Brown said. "Get things off your chest. It's OK to talk to someone. Seek help. You have to take care of your brain just like you take care of your body."