Rondale Moore, Marshawn Kneeland, Rudi Johnson, and Kyren Lacy: Mental Health in the NFL and College Football, and a Football Coach’s Perspective.
- Ashley Cornwell
- Feb 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Rondale Moore and I have very different lives and very different roles in football. But we share some things.
I am 25 years old too. I just turned 25 in January. I love football with all my heart. So much so that my sin is that my identity is too much wrapped up in football, and I do not prioritize God like I should…but we will talk about that struggle at a later time.
We both faced pressure. We both existed in this industry. We both have struggled in this industry.
Last night was rough for me. I was at a dark hour. I found a way out via the help I have received. I can manage those thoughts and know I can remove myself and utilize techniques to keep myself safe. Although mentally, physically, and spiritually drained, I got out of bed today.
Thank you, God.
Then I saw the news about Rondale Moore. I swear my heart stopped. It felt surreal because of what I went through last night. When I opened X, I did not think the first post that I saw was someone who had supposedly (still being confirmed) followed through on what was on my mind.
Mental Health in Football Is Not Just a Player Issue - But They Are Hurting the Most.
Let me detangle this. I do not want to take away from the severity of this issue regarding players. Players will always be my priority.
The mental health crisis affects everyone. This industry is just as brutal to staff as it is to players — in different ways, but with similar methods (lower level, we can debate owners and high-level personnel all day). Staff struggles too, and this in turn can make it worse for the players (I will address this later).
For now, the players are hurting. All levels. The pressure has increased, the opportunities are now rarer and more volatile, and the age where there are high expectations and demands is lowering by the day. Environmental and cultural factors add to all of this. Do not ignore that piece.
This industry has plenty of room for change. Like everything in life, it's going to be about how badly we want it.
We need more support for staff. We need more support for players. We need an industrial standard that destigmatizes mental health.
Key The Ball, Meant for Women in Football, and the Pressure We Face.
My purpose in starting Key The Ball was to address a need I believe Women in Sports are lacking, particularly women in football. The need is mentorship, resources, and a space to renew their strength to keep up the good fight.
As a 25-year-old female football coach, I know the added pressure that comes with being a woman in this industry. Women in football are often isolated. We are often the only women in the room. We are expected to be tough, composed, and grateful to be there. There is rarely space to admit when we are overwhelmed.
The stories I have could be in a book. For each high, I have had 10x the lows. The things I have heard, and the things said to me, should have never seen the light of day…but they did. It has had its impact. Which is why I am here doing this right now.
My focus is specific, but the overarching mission is still the same: to increase our awareness about mental health, the reality of professional sports, and to discuss what we can do to change.
Key The Ball exists because women in football need mentorship. We need resources. We need community. We need real conversations about mental health in sports and the stigma that still exists in football culture. This will not go away on my end.
Along with this, I will continue to advocate for the players who share this industry with me.
Let Me Open Your Eyes with a Dose of Reality:
The 988 number does not work. I am sorry if that offends anyone, but I can definitely say that from experience…. several times. People need presence. The power of touch is underestimated.
What makes me even more annoyed is the passive comments people post.
"Check in on your people.”
Are we serious right now? How about you make that a habit of your character and personality and stop waiting for the next crisis to do so. Stop posting that shit and get going.
Or how about the generic texts you get from people when they know you are struggling?
“Hey, you good?” / “Just checking in.”
What the hell happened to in-person? Or phone calls? What happened to just "let it out" and "vent" ... not a “keep it together” or “it will get better, just keep going”.
If you’re my friend, let it out, let's go to a rage room, let’s leave your room, your house, your office, get the hell out for at least an hour. I have driven seven hours before… because I have been on the other side. I get it, I have done it. So, I act as I know it.
Damn, if you know someone is hurting, step up. If you do not know how to, it's simple: Get on the phone, or go in person. Make an effort, give your time, and be present.
As a coach, f*** texts. Call your players, FaceTime your players, or go and see them in-person. Take them to a meal. Some of these players do not have family; they do not have a cup to receive strength from. They do not have guidance. They do not know where to go.
Guide them like it's your job (because it is!).
Coaches know thyself.
Hurt coaches and staff can hurt players. I am not saying all will or do, but they can and have done so.
Get your s*** together. You do not have to be perfect to serve.
You must be aware of yourself and how to get better. You must be aware of what you are doing and how that may be impacting how you coach and treat others.
One of the best mentors in my life was Gary Brown. He was an example of walking with Christ amidst a battle for his life that he eventually lost. I do not want to hear your excuses.
To everyone who said they did not sign up for football to worry about this piece, get out of this industry. If it is too much for you, seek help before you hurt someone.
To the High-Level Personnel,
Let me keep this on the professional side to the best of my ability. Keep in mind, I am trying to not lump everyone together, so if the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn’t, then don't buy them.
Your culture should destigmatize mental health. Family issues, medical setbacks, and adjustments to college and the “real world”. Contracts, significant others, the troubles of life, caring about all of this matters. And since most are focused on dollars and a winning edge, I guarantee that taking care of your players will translate into all of that.
But damn, this industry used to be about service, giving back, creating a subculture in America that was striving to be better and do better for all of us. It’s lost now. Hopefully, those who need to will meditate on this and get back to use with some better actions.
For as many good things and good moments I have witnessed, I have seen and heard some awful things. I have heard how these players get cut, I have seen how staff are treated, and I heard conversations that have stopped my heart because I could not believe a human being with a heart and soul could believe it, let alone say it out loud.
No excuses. I do not want to hear “Well, I am not the Head Coach," or “I am not the General Manager,” or “I am waiting for the owner and what they say”. Even better (sarcastic) "It's above me".
Let it be a unit thing, a position thing, or a personal thing for you. Live it, walk in it, and be about it every day. Little moments, little initiatives, those seemingly small actions will add up. Set an example for others to follow.
Shoot, who told you the coaching mission was cupcakes and rainbows? An easy job where I could show a slide and a clip and go off to practice and games without doing more? Life is a challenge when you want to be good and do good. This is a pick your hard type of moment....
We cannot control the powers that be. We are not even guaranteed tomorrow. Today, you have the opportunity to make it different from where you are now.
To Women in Football — We Cannot Normalize Survival Mode,
To the women in football: we cannot normalize burnout. We cannot wear survival as a badge of honor. We need community, not competition. We need mentorship. We need safe spaces to renew our strength so we can keep showing up for our athletes and for ourselves.
Because this will keep happening.
To Those in the Industry,
If I can ask one small change today, or for one piece of information, I would encourage people in this industry to ask themselves, “What is my purpose?”
For those who want to give up, I have something for you. I look at it every day.
Start at the present moment, accepting things exactly as they are. Search for any way in the midst of those circumstances, with God by your side.
This will start with people choosing to be different in the football industry.
“You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding.” — Ephesians 4:17–18
This life is not all that there is. This life is preparation for eternity. Live your life for the life with Jesus. Find purpose in serving God.
Do Something Different Today
We are not even guaranteed tomorrow. Today, you have the opportunity to make it different from where you are now.
Call someone. Show up. Build a culture in your room. Have in-person conversations. Do not wait for the next crisis to be different.
Let's not revisit this in a week to see if the entire world has moved on. We should not move on.
We have to hold the line at some point and say enough is enough.
Please give me some grace on this article. It was not rushed. It came from the heart during a raw moment in my life. Candidly, by the time you have read this, I will be back offline, trying to get myself in order.
I am not blaming anyone. I am not focused on criticizing the past; I want better for the future. I do not have all the answers; I just know there is a lot that needs to be done.
Consider this my plea to others, because I know I cannot execute this change alone.
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