Mental health crisis among Black men and boys discussed in Congress

Photo by Julian Myles/Unsplash With the 2024 NFL draft being held virtually, football fans recently saw some selected players celebrating their big day surrounded by large crowds of family and friends who marked the occasion and million-dollar contracts with tears, shouts of joy, and robust hugs. Emotions ran high as the draft was the culmination of years of practice and sacrifice paying off as the players finally made it to the pros. What’s not shown is the pressure many players feel at carrying their entire families, neighborhoods, and, to some extent, the broader community on their backs and shoulders. Many were the first in their families to go to college and to have the opportunity to make a lot of money. They’re eager to buy their mothers’ houses and cars for the uncles who came to their games and paid for equipment when their parents couldn’t. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) asked Marcus Smith II, a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014, to discuss the toll that comes with success for many African American athletes. The prompting came as Smith, who now plays for the Washington Commanders, joined panelists sharing their work and experiences with members of Congress...