Eagles' Brandon Brooks uses own story to inspire graduates

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Eagles right guard Brandon Brooks was back at his alma mater this weekend, delivering the commencement speech at Miami University (Ohio), when he began talking about his battle with anxiety. 

In front of thousands of people. 

“Truth be told, I’m feeing a little anxious today,” Brooks said, inciting laughter in front of the giant crowd staring back at him. “But I’ve learned through therapy, to not worry or care about making a mistake. Why? Because the best thing about life is that it goes on.”

Brooks, 28, talked to the crowd of graduates about love and honor, perseverance and unity, but perhaps it was telling his personal story about how he overcame his anxiety that made the most lasting impression. 

After identifying his issues with anxiety during the 2016 season, when he missed two games, Brooks began to seek help. In 2017, he played in all 16 games, became a Pro Bowler and helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl championship. 

As the Eagles were getting ready to play in the Super Bowl, Brooks reflected a little bit on his road thus far and chronicled how he was able to have fun playing football again (see story)

On Saturday, he told the graduates that even after becoming a Pro Bowler and winning the Super Bowl, he’s “especially proud” of overcoming his anxiety. 

For those in attendance who didn’t know his story, he gave them an overview: 

“I took being the best very seriously. Too seriously, in fact,” Brooks said. “I demanded excellence of myself. I demanded perfection. No mistakes, no screwups. I wanted to epitomize perfection. I did not want to make mistakes. And when that did happen, the world wasn’t a good place for me. I had a secret; I needed help. I grew up thinking, you had to man up. You had to suck it up, as they say. Boy, did I learn the hard way. 

“I don’t know how many of you know, but I have an anxiety disorder. I demanded perfection of myself and when I fail, when I’m not that superhuman I’m supposed to be, my body and my mind turn on me. I get tremendously ill for hours and can’t play the sport I love. I missed five NFL games over my career because I couldn’t handle being perfect. I came to a crossroads where I had to make a decision. I would either cave under the pressure or get help, persevere and rise to the occasion. I choose the latter because there are no diamonds without pressure. 

“Getting help by seeing a therapist was one of the best things for me. For those out there going through something you can’t handle yourself, never be afraid to ask for help and get the help you need.”

Brooks is one of three Eagles to make graduation speeches this spring after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Corey Clement was at Rowan University in his hometown of Glassboro, N.J., and Chris Long spoke at the University of Virginia. 

Brooks explained how important the law of averages has been to helping him overcome his anxiety and tried to pass along that knowledge. For a player who is an 8 out of 10, there will be days they’re 10/10, but also days where they’re 6/10. 

For Brooks, it’s all about striving to be perfect without letting life’s inevitable failures take over. 

That’s a lesson worth teaching. 

“We are all allowed to make mistakes, to be imperfect, to be human,” Brooks said. “Learn that now, listen to someone who knows. Learn from your mistakes, keep pushing, trust yourself and trust the process.” 

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