NEW YORK (April 14) - Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker once played Russian roulette with a loaded pistol as he struggled with a personality disorder.
Coping With Mental Disorders
Herschel Walker has documented his struggle with dissociative identity disorder in his book "Breaking Free." However, the Heisman Trophy winner is not the only sports figure to battle a mental disorder. Source: AP
Scott Cunningham, Getty Images
Barret Robbins' NFL career ended in a psychiatric ward before Super Bowl XXXVII. Robbins, seen here in 2005, has received treatment for his bipolar disorder, but his present whereabouts are unknown. Source: USA Today
J. Pat Carter, AP
The popular English boxer Frank Bruno was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. Source: The Guardian
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
Former Cowboy quarterback Quincy Carter washed out of the NFL and was treated for drug addiction and bipolar disorder in 2004. He still struggles with his drug addiction, but now plays football in the Arena Football League's minor league. Source: Shreveport Times
Brian Bahr, Getty Images
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Alonzo Spellman, who battles with bipolar disorder, has been in trouble with the law numerous times. Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Fred Jewell, AP
Dolphins running back Ricky Williams' social anxiety disorder has played havoc with is football career. Williams hopes to return to the Dolphins depth chart this year. Source: CBS
Keith Srakocic, AP
Steelers great Terry Bradshaw was diagnosed with clinical depression nine years ago. Source USA Today
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Pitcher Donnie Moore battled depression until his death in 1989 when he shot his wife, who surivied, and himself. Source: New York Times
Rick Stewart, Getty Images
Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone got an endorsement deal with Pfizer after her public battle with depression. Source: SI
Reed Saxon, AP
Jimmy Piersall played for four teams during his 17 year MLB career. However, some might remember him better for his battle with bipolar disorder, which became the subject of the movie 'Fear Strikes Out.' Source: IMDB
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Walker suffers from dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. His experiences are chronicled in his book, "Breaking Free," which is released this week.
"We were talking and the next thing I knew, he got a gun, and he put it to my temple," she recalls. When asked what Walker said to her while he had a gun to her head, Cindy replied, "I'm going to blow your [expletive] brains out."
The 46-year-old Walker was a star running back at Georgia and in the pros. He says he had the condition during his playing days but didn't realize it. He doesn't remember winning the Heisman in 1982 or darker events, such as threatening his then-wife.
Walker has been in treatment for eight years but doesn't take medication. He believes he has improved greatly.
"I've totally changed from back then to where I am today," he says.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Comments: (14)
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By: africa on 4/15/2008 5:51PM
Mental illness is a very serious issue in the black community and one that needs to be addressed more.We stand back and make jokes of those who are suffering being that what we see several black celebrites go through we make jokes and most of the time at church people are hurting and we need to wake up to this issue.I'm proud of the courage it took mr Walker to come forth i hope others will also and take the shame off of this in our community.
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By: Patricia Jenkins on 4/16/2008 6:06PM
MR. WALKER HAS COURAGE, OFF THE FIELD AS MUCH AS ON THE FIELD. IT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF COURAGE FOR HIM TO SEEK TREATMENT (TALK THERAPY), ESPECIALLY BEING AN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MALE. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR WAY OF THINKING WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL ILLNESS AS WELL THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH. THE CHURCH MAKES COMMENTS THAT "IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD YOU CAN KEEP ALL THAT MONEY AND SUPORT THE CHURCH. BUT MENTAL ILLNESS IS REAL, ITS A ILLNESS NOT A COP-OUT. I PERSONALLY UNDERSTAND MR. WALKER'S JOURNEY. I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY OF MY OWN. I PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO HELP HIM TO SEEK OUT ANSWERS TO HIS HEALTH. Luv the dutchess
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By: E. Joyce Moore on 4/16/2008 1:38PM
Mental and emotional illness, from chronic depression to schizophrenia in a real issue in the black community, but our strength in overcoming and pulling ourselves up by our worn bootstraps has become our weakness. Mental and emotional illnesses are diseases, just like diabetes and cannot be considered as something bad or something we did wrong. But the stigma attached to it by our culture, and sometimes our respective religion, keeps knowledge of how to spot and treat these diseases in the closet. One can't just "snap out of it." Medication, therapy, diagnosis, finding out if one disease is being brought on by another is key. And getting help when you need it isn't weak or shameful, it's the smart thing to do. Kudos to anyone who has the courage to find out what's wrong and how to fix it.
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By: E. Joyce Moore on 4/16/2008 1:42PM
Mental and emotional illness, from chronic depression to schizophrenia is a real issue in the black community, but our strength in overcoming and pulling ourselves up by our worn bootstraps has become our weakness. Mental and emotional illnesses are diseases, just like diabetes and hypertension; they cannot be considered as something bad or something we did wrong. But the stigma attached to it by our culture, and sometimes our respective religions, keeps knowledge of how to spot and treat these diseases in the closet. One can't just "snap out of it." Medication, therapy, diagnosis, finding out if one disease is being brought on by another is key. And getting help when you need it isn't weak or shameful, it's the smart thing to do. Kudos to anyone who has the courage to find out what's wrong and how to fix it.
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By: Althea J. Williams on 4/16/2008 10:21PM
I am sorry to hear this, but Mr. Walker has a lot of courage to confess to this. I admire him greatly. He is a survival and he will get through this. God bless him!
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By: maggie on 4/17/2008 3:23AM
I wonder how much the pressure of being married to "Cindy" had to do with his problems.
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By: Everret on 4/21/2008 5:26PM
I ALWAYS THOUGHT HERSCHEL WAS DEEPLY RELIGIOUS.
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT HE ALWAYS PROFFESSEDTO BE. PLEASE DON'T PLAY WITH GOD, HE DOESN'T LIKE THAT. THE GUILTY WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED.
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By: James Christopher on 4/21/2008 6:26PM
I have a new friend who i feel is very sick with some type of mental illness and i don't know how to find help
for her. she is a very caring person but or friendship is going to end if i can't find her some help. she is driving me crazy the way she acts. I need advice.
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By: chas jr on 4/21/2008 7:06PM
Reading about all the celibrity atheletes who have had their illnesses diagnose makes me think of the people who never knew they had a problem, self medicating with street drugs and alcohol what a waste. Until mental health treatment becomes available to everyone society will continue to suffer.
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By: Terretta on 4/21/2008 7:47PM
I respect the man, I myself have been dealing with mental illness, and I have sat in the church and was told if I just have faith all is well, well that is not true, I needed to find help and it has been a struggle, because no one likes the word mental illness, so once again I take my hat off to him and hope he continues to press on.
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