DENZEL OKAFOR
"I never knew how serious my MENtal health was until I tore my patella tendon. It was my last year playing at the University of Texas and wanted to finish off as well as I can. Unfortunately I got hurt the 5th game of the season and wasn’t able to play with my teammates Al the way through the rest of the season. The thought of not sharing the field with my teammates was painful and heartbreaking to say the least. Not to MENtion, possibly not being able to showcase my talents for NFL scouts. I was in bed doing nothing for weeks as I saw my teammates having fun without me and possibly not having a chance to play at the next level. I had issues outside of the game of football as well and at one time in my life thoughts of self harm lingered in my head. I was at an all time low and stuck in my head with thoughts that I ever thought would ever think of. Fortunately, I had a few friends who had no business coming to my aid and helping me.
They showed me I am cared for and valued regardless if I was on the field or not. In those days, a part of me knew I could keep going and get back on my feet. And I’m proud to say it worked. I got out of my head and got back to work because i knows at the end of the day what my goals were! I’m proud to say I’m 100% healed and in a much better place than what I was at the end of 2021. I had family and friends who were there for me and made me feel loved and appreciated! I now value my MENtal health and want to help others who go through hard times. We’re never alone in this fight to prioritize our MENtal health and it’s important to know that we are ALL loved and cared for by someone in this world!"
TEXAS FOOTBALL
