Most fans applauded Eagles' lineman Brandon Brooks last week when he opened up about the anxiety issues that sidelined him earlier in the season.
"I wanted to get to the bottom of what’s going on,” Brooks told reporters last week. “Basically, I found out recently that I have an anxiety condition. What I mean by anxiety condition (is) not nervousness or fear of the game.
“What it is is that I have like an obsession with the game. It’s an unhealthy obsession right now and I’m working with team doctors to get everything straightened out and getting the help that I need and things like that.”
The assistance he sought helped him get back on the field on Sunday for the Eagles' tight loss to the Ravens down in Baltimore. He performed quite well and something was different this time.
The Inquirer's Jeff McLane wrote about Brooks' return to the field and about the support he's received from both his teammates but also from random Philadelphians who understand his issue is a challenging one.
Brooks detailed how Sunday was different for him.
Brandon Brooks didn't vomit. This was odd, but good.
"Every game day, sick or not, I throw up," Brooks said. "It's just a habit. How it's always been. But I didn't throw up at all today."
NFL
Medication has helped but the simple fact that he was able to open up about the issue and get support from those around him also seems invaluable.
One of my favorite takeaways from the piece is one I think more sports fans in general could take to heart:
"Any time I felt like I had some anxiety, or my mind started wandering and I'm thinking I need to be perfect," Brooks said, "I just tied to tell myself, 'It's just a game. Have fun. It's just a game. Have fun.' "
>>McLane: Brandon Brooks comes up a winner [Inquirer]