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NFL star David Montgomery reveals online abuse from fantasy football managers left him contemplating suicide

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery decided to open up on a dark time in his NFL career ahead of Thursday – which marks World Mental Health Day. 

Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s ‘Fantasy Dirt’ podcast, Montgomery revealed that he had been experiencing mental health issues in his rookie season when he was a member of the Chicago Bears.

Montgomery admitted that he had suicidal thoughts in that time – particularly coming from how managers in fantasy football were treating him. 

‘When I was a rookie, I had a real, real stressful time in the league,’ Montgomery told SI.

‘I was at a point where I would have this suicidal thought and it was just a depression. It was just a depression. It was just a depression and a scary year for me. 

Detroit Lions star David Montgomery revealed he contemplated suicide in his rookie season

‘And unfortunately, the people in fantasy were kind of helping me be aided to feeling that way. And I was at a point where I was scared to live.’

The running back shared that his life may have been saved after a phone call from his nephew.

‘I was in a situation to where I was this close to doing something that I knew I shouldn’t have done, that would have changed the trajectory of my life or changed the trajectory of everybody else around me in my life,’ Montgomery said. 

‘And my nephew called me right when I was in the midst of doing so. 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 doing?’ And my nephew, and it meant so much to me, because my nephew, he has leukemia.

‘And I was in a very dark place, a very dark place. And from that point on, hearing my nephew’s voice, I made a vow to myself and a promise to myself that I would never, ever allow anybody else to have that much control over my mind, my body to make me feel like I wasn’t worth anything or valued in a light to where I had a purpose on this Earth.’

Montgomery says he’s been seeing a therapist since that dark time and that his life has changed for the better. 

Montgomery says a phone call with his nephew - who has leukemia - helped save him

Montgomery says a phone call with his nephew – who has leukemia – helped save him

Montgomery says he has been seeing a therapist since experiencing those struggles

Montgomery says he has been seeing a therapist since experiencing those struggles

‘Yeah, it was scary, but I got a really good therapist,’ Montgomery said. ‘I’ve been working with a therapist for five years now, and being able to regulate and express my emotions and being able to allow myself to know that I am enough, you know, and I’ve been through a lot of things. 

‘I’ve been through a lot of places where people don’t even know who I am. But I get to create that perception for myself, to how I view myself and how my son views me. 

‘And, you know, I’m having the best time of my life. And I’m enjoying life for exactly what it is.’ 

Montgomery has scored a touchdown in all four of the Lions’ games this season – and has been part of one of the most dominant running back pairings in the league alongside Jahmyr Gibbs.

Detroit is coming off a bye and travels to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 

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