UCLA Bruins player Thomas Cole introduced his retirement from college football on Saturday, citing a suicide attempt earlier this yr.
The offensive lineman, from San Luis Obispo, California, shared the announcement on social media whereas explaining his six month absence from the crew’s coaching facility.
“I haven’t been present … This is because at the start of 2022 I made an attempt to take my own life,” he mentioned.
“At first I was regretful that I survived my attempt, but thankfully due to the people at the UCLA hospital, Paradigm residential treatment, and my therapist Meg, I have come to a much brighter outlook for my own future.”
“After many months of thorough consideration I have come to the conclusion that football is not conducive for my mental health, and there is more to my life than the game of football,” he continued.
Cole explained that his decision doesn’t “negate the impact of my teammates and coaches have had on my life.”
He thanked his teammates who introduced “so much joy and laughter in a time of immense personal suffering,” in addition to his coaches, academics and tutors.
“I will miss competing and the game of football. But I will mostly miss the people it has brought into my life,” he wrote. “I’ll endlessly cheer on the Bruins and need the football program nothing however success.”
Cole concluded with a message to other people with mental health issues.
“For all of those that could also be struggling, you aren’t alone and you might be beloved,” he said.
“It is alright to ask for assist. Thank you to my household for being so loving throughout this strategy of studying to dwell once more.”
Cole enrolled at UCLA in January 2021, however didn’t see recreation motion in his first season in this system.
A UCLA Athletics spokesperson declined an NBC News request for comment, citing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which does not permit the discussion of the health of students.
Cole’s announcement comes a few month after Bruins’ defensive again Martell Irby announced he was retiring resulting from psychological well being challenges.
Since March, there have been a number of high-profile suicides of college student-athletes across the U.S., including Katie Meyer, a goalkeeper on Stanford’s soccer team; Sarah Shulze, a top runner for the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Lauren Bernett, a standout softball player for James Madison University, and Arlana Miller, a star cheerleader at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana.
The student-athlete suicides have cast a spotlight on the challenges of balancing athletics, studies and mental health in a highly competitive environment.
In March, Ohio State University football player Harry Miller also announced his retirement from the sport, citing mental health challenges that had pushed him to the brink of suicide.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.