EP 275 - Former NFL Player Discusses Overcoming Drug Addiction, Mental Health, NFL Concussion Protocols and more

Former NFL player Mike Gibson discusses the current mental health concerns of athletes and Damar Hamlin who we all saw on national television collapse on the field that led to an unprecedented cancelling of a NFL game. Does the NFL help players with substance abuse and are their concussion protocols enough?    Mike Gibson, earned a scholarship to Cal-Berkeley for football and played for 2 years before he got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. He played a total of 6 years in the NFL (Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals).    After he retired he became a sheriff's deputy, completing his credentials as class president, abusing OxyContin and adderall the entire duration. He was a deputy for under a year before getting asked to resign for his unhealthy habits. This setback turned him to becoming addicted to stronger substances such as heroin and meth. After going in and out of rehab 6 times, in his last session Mike made a breakthrough and has been sober for 5 years. He has worked in treatment centers as an addiction counselor for the entire 5 years he has been sober.