Star Gymnast Simone Biles made headlines after she pulled out of the team event final at the Olympics Games due to her mental health. QB Aaron Rodgers had his own fight with mental health this past offseason. And spoke up on Biles’ decision.
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Simone Biles, the 25-year-old defending champion of the individual all-around gymnastics title, has decided to forego the chance to go for a second straight Olympic win, prioritizing her mental well-being over medal success.
Simone Biles’s withdrawal from Olympic events reflects a cultural shift, as some athletes put mental health above an appearance of invincibility. https://t.co/6yr4lGGeLn
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 28, 2021
The Packers quarterback himself had one of the most turbulent offseasons for a superstar in recent memory. From potentially demanding a trade, to holding out of training camp and the 2021-22 season, to even retiring, Packers fans have been on an absolute roller coaster this year. And after finally returning to training camp, Rodgers gave an important statement on taking this summer to work on his mental health.
How do you feel about the QB’s return to the Packers? pic.twitter.com/ZsLCQk6Kg2
— WSAW (@WSAW) July 27, 2021
Aaron Rodgers empathizes with Simone Biles
Simone Biles received an outpouring of love and support for her decision. And Aaron Rodgers understood exactly what she was going through.
“I think it’s important that we work on our mental state and as you’ve seen with Simone Biles, I think there needs to be more conversation around that,” Rodgers said. “We as athletes are often put on a pedestal that we’re not — that we’re beyond any mental hindrances or clutter. And the only time that mental health often gets talked about is when it’s under the conversation of depression. I didn’t have any depression, but I have a ton of respect for people who speak out in those situations.
“For me, it was just about clearing any of the clutter. And that’s what I try to do with this offseason by adjusting some habits and spending time with my loved ones, traveling as safely and as often as I possibly could and then making sure I was ready to go if I came back.”
#Packers Rodgers gives nod to Simone Biles and says he spent this off-season working on his mental clutter: “I think there needs to be more conversation around that we as athletes are often out on pedestal that we’re beyond mental hinderances or clutter…”
— Rachel Hopmayer (@rachelhopmayer) July 28, 2021
No one may have experienced the exact feeling that Biles feels. But if anybody can understand the pressure that she has to go through, its Aaron Rodgers.
