Lions star David Montgomery reveals fantasy football coaches engaged in battle with suicidal thoughts

This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery revealed he had to overcome dark thoughts after being overwhelmed with the stress fantasy football managers contributed to.

Appearing on Sports Illustrated’s “Fantasy Dirt” podcast, Montgomery said his stint as a rookie in 2019 with the Chicago Bears involved severe stress and suicidal thoughts.

Pressure and words from disgruntled fantasy managers who drafted Montgomery to their teams didn’t help.

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Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) tackles a tackle by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. (Matt Kartozian-Images of Image)

“When I was a rookie, I had a real, stressful time in the league,” Montgomery explained.

“I was at a point where I would have this suicidal ideation, and it was just a depressing and terrifying year for me. And unfortunately, fantasy, people in fantasy were helping me. They were helping me be helped . feeling this way was at a point where I was afraid to live.”

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Too often we hear stories about fantasy football managers or sports bettors actively reaching out to multi-sport athletes, adding to the pressure to perform. And, many times, these words, whether in person or through social networks, contain explicit messages.

Montgomery said he had to get out of that mindset and it was his nephew who helped him.

“I went through all these things, and one person who saved my life was my nephew,” she began. “I was in a situation that I was in so close to do something that I knew I shouldn’t have done, that would have changed the trajectory of my life or the trajectory of everyone else around me in my life.

“And my nephew called me, right when I was in the middle of doing it. And he didn’t say anything about football. He didn’t say anything about how fast I was. He just said, ‘Uncle Dave, I miss you.’ how are you And my nephew, and it meant a lot to me, because my nephew, he has leukemia.

“And I was in a very dark place, a very very dark place. And from that moment, hearing my nephew’s voice, I made a vow to myself and promised myself that I would never, ever, allow that no one else had that much. control over my mind, my body to make me feel like I was worthless or worth nothing in light of where I had a purpose on Earth.”

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on September 30, 2024. (PICTURE)

Montgomery, who played four seasons with the Bears before signing with the Lions in free agency in 2023, said the therapy has been a big help.

“I have a really good therapist,” she said. “I’ve been working with a therapist for five years and I can regulate and express my emotions and I can allow myself to know that I’m enough, you know, and I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through a lot of places where people don’t even he knows who I am, but I have this perception of myself, how I see myself and how my son sees me as the best time of my life and I’m enjoying life exactly as it is.”

The trade from Montgomery to Detroit worked well last season. He rushed for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns in a scheme that featured dynamic rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery at the Detroit Lions practice complex in Allen Park on July 24, 2024 (PICTURE)

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In four games this season, Montgomery has rushed for 271 yards on 63 carries with four touchdowns.

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