Three-time Super Bowl champion, Je'Rod Cherry, believes Kevin Love’s revelation of his mental health struggles will force necessary conversations that often go undiscussed.
"We all have our own struggles, and Kevin Love, I give props to him for being willing to reveal them,” said Cherry.
In a letter to The Players' Tribune, Love talked about the personal news that not even his close friends or family knew about.
He remembers the moment like it was yesterday. On Nov. 5, the Cavs were playing the Atlanta Hawks. It was just after halftime and something strange happened.
"I had a panic attack," Love said.
Cherry is no stranger to pressure. After playing in three Super Bowls, there were certain things he felt that he couldn't openly talk about off the field.
"When I played that was the last thing on earth you'd tell somebody you had a concussion. When you have a super start do it, that guy has more cache. You want to have this machismo about you that you're a tough guy, things don't get to you," Cherry said. "A lot of time in a locker room setting, guys will use anything and everything and want to get an edge on you, poke fun at you. You always run the risk of guys doubting you, calling you a quitter or saying lesser things about you. You don't want to be seen as someone who is crazy and or someone who doesn't have it all together."
Cherry began his career in New Orleans. He eventually landed in Philadelphia and ended in New England.
He believes, just like concern for concussions grew, he now sees the same happening for mental health.
