David Corkery, a former professional rugby player, has spoken out about his struggles with anxiety and depression following a career filled with injuries and physical trauma. Corkery’s story highlights the emotional toll that can come with being a professional athlete, especially in a sport as physically demanding as rugby.
Corkery started his rugby career at a young age, and quickly rose through the ranks to become an elite player. He played for Ireland’s national team, and was named Player of the Tournament at the 1995 World Cup. As he became more successful, however, he also became more aware of the risks that came with the game.
He suffered numerous injuries throughout his career, including dislocated shoulders, compressed discs in his back, a ruptured Achilles tendon, and over 20 operations on his left knee. Despite these injuries, Corkery felt the pressure to keep playing, to keep pushing his body to its limits.
“I never held back, ever in my life, foolishly,” he says. “You went head on into everything. Close the eyes and hope for the best.”
It wasn’t until several years after he retired from rugby that Corkery realized the full extent of the damage his body had sustained. He began to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, which he initially attributed to the stress of his post-rugby life.
“I couldn’t enjoy myself. I couldn’t see a future,” he says. “I was always worried about the next injury. The next contract terms and talks. If I met someone that I hadn’t seen in five years they would have seen a different person. More cautious. A scared individual. There was fear all the time.”
It wasn’t until he underwent testing for a potential concussion that Corkery learned that the repeated physical trauma he had experienced on the rugby field may have contributed to his mental health struggles.
“I never knew that those two states were connected,” he says. “What he knew was that his body had been ripped apart. He could account for that, easily.”
Corkery’s story underscores the challenges that many professional athletes face when it comes to their mental health. In addition to the rigors of training and competition, athletes must often contend with the pressures of media attention, fans’ expectations, and the fear of injury.
These pressures can take a toll on an athlete’s mental well-being, and increase their risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. In recent years, more attention has been paid to athletes’ mental health, and some professional sports leagues have implemented programs to support the mental well-being of their players.
Corkery’s experience shows that even with these efforts, there is still much work to be done to ensure that athletes are able to maintain their physical and mental health while pursuing their careers. By sharing his story, Corkery hopes to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of one’s mental health, and to encourage other athletes to seek help if they are struggling.
