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Footballers are people too, so treat them as such

Roar Guru
25th October, 2017
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Travis Cloke has announced his retirement from AFL (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Roar Guru
25th October, 2017
18

I logged into my social media last night when I got home from work to learn of Travis Cloke’s retirement from AFL.

Checking social media while I eat dinner has become part of my standard routine. On Facebook, I saw the news of Cloke hanging up the boots, and despite being a Demons’ supporter, I found it sad to hear of a great football player of the modern era retiring.

I then scrolled down a little more, and the next post said: “Travis Cloke used to sit in front of the computer and cry. Hahaha. What a weak guy.” The anger that ran through my veins. Laughing about mental illnesses to AFL players? It is no joke! Then I suddenly went to Microsoft Word and decided to take my anger out in an article.

It seems that year by year, depression among AFL players is growing. Travis Cloke, Alex Fasolo, and Tom Boyd all suffered from it this year and most of them also had it last year. Who can blame them, given the constant pressure from the media and the way that fans are writing about them online?

Just because these men are playing professional sports, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have real feelings. Everyone has feelings, and footballers have the right to being able to live a free life.

Just because these men play the sport we all love and have a passion for, the media shouldn’t be placing players under pressure throughout the year. Likewise, the fans shouldn’t be treating them as if they are allowed to do no wrong.

AFL players deserve the right to go through their career without being speculated about every ten minutes. They have the right to live a normal life without reading fans’ disgraceful comments about them.

Mental illness is the leading cause of suicide globally, and the trend of players that are diagnosed with depression is going up by year.

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Fasolo, Cloke, and Boyd may have been open about their battle with depression, but they might well just be three of a handful of people what are suffering from it right now.

People often say, ‘If you don’t like the comments about yourself from others, then don’t use social media’. But first of all, there may be some close friends or family from overseas who can only be contacted via social media. I find that that I have multiple friends that prefer to stay in contact over social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Secondly, players shouldn’t have to worry about seeing negative comments from the media or outraged fans abusing them online. It is that simple. If you don’t have something nice to say, or type, like these keyboard warriors, then don’t say it at all.

Something needs to be done to stop this. On behalf of AFL players, I feel we need to be stronger in tackling this issue.

Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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