Candid Conversations
Herb's Personal Struggle With Depression
In 1972, Herb Adderley was benched mid-season by Coach Tom Landry and was traded at the end of the season to the Los Angeles Rams. He chose to retire from the NFL in the summer of 1973. Despite Herb's stellar NFL career, post-football proved to be difficult for numerous reasons. When the lights and the cheers of the big stage cut off for
In 1972, Herb Adderley was benched mid-season by Coach Tom Landry and was traded at the end of the season to the Los Angeles Rams. He chose to retire from the NFL in the summer of 1973. Despite Herb's stellar NFL career, post-football proved to be difficult for numerous reasons. When the lights and the cheers of the big stage cut off for the last time, he suffered deeply and quietly from depression. Herb was successful after retiring and self-managed his depression, however in later years pain from football eventually led him to live a reclusive life.
Candid
Our Approach
Our Approach
Candid is a conversation with athletes that have struggled with depression and anxiety while playing the sport they love. Our conversations will provide a safe space for many to share their mental health battles in an effort to encourage others who may be suffering silently.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
It is well documented that athletes on every level suffer from mental health challenges. What is not broadly discussed is the substantial percentage of athletes who do not seek help and suffer silently. Research demonstrates that mental illness manifests in the form of stress, burnout, eating disorders, depression or anxiety. All of the aforementioned can unfortunately lead to drug addiction and suicide.
“All stress, anxiety, depression, is caused when we ignore who we are, and start living to please others.”
Paulo Coelho, 2014
Candid Conversations
Moderator
Devon Mason, is a sportswriter and podcaster by trade. He broke into the sportswriting world with “The Shadow League” during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sportswriter with the “TSL” he covers a wide range of sports from football to basketball to baseball, and everything in between.
His passion is football, which he also coaches.
In covering football he delves into the statistical side of the sport, as well as the intricacies of the sport which are often overlooked.
Mason, also writes for MLBbro.com an outlet covering Black and Brown baseball players founded by “Odd Couple” co-host Rob Parker of Fox Sports Radio.
In his two-years as a national sportswriter, Mason, has written over 2,000 publications covering a little bit of everything.
He’s the host of “The PoVSports Show” on ItzYourzRadioLive.com
Every Sunday @6:45PM he brings the “The PoVSports Wrap” on Live 97.5FM.
Mason is a co-host of the steadily rising TD Report podcast.
He is also the co-founder and co-host of the brand new Mason & Morales podcast.
Mason will also be co-hosting the soon-to-come “IC wit PoV” podcast with renowned sportswriter Ivan Carter of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
He also handles the sports for media blog site, Urbanspotlite.
Featured Athlete
Morgan Mitchell
Kareem McDonald
Joshua Page
Joshua Page is a 26 year old and born Washington, DC. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School and graduated from Rock Creek Christian Academy in 2016.
Josh played boys basketball at DeMatha until he suffered a devastating injury during a pick up basketball game where he fractured his tibia and had a screw placed. After this huge setback in Josh's athletic career, he transferred after rehabilitation to Clinton Christian Academy(now Rock Creek Christian Academy) in 2014. As a senior at Rock Creek Christian Academy, Josh was a key member of a team that was ranked in the Top 10 nationally and advanced to the championship game of the Maryland Private Schools Tournament. Josh was CBAA second team 2016, CBAA all defense team 2016.
Josh was recruited to play MBB under head coach Doug Overton at Lincoln University of PA. He helped Lincoln University MBB earn its first ever D2SIDA Atlantic Regional ranking in the 2018-2019 season. One of six players in double figures in big win over D1 Shepherd University exhibition game.
2017-2018 Academic Honor Role-one of 5 MBB players.
In 2019, Josh returned home to DC and with uncertainty of where he would be recruited to play, he did a red shirt year and attended community college. One year later, Josh received a full scholarship to play at St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, NC under Coach MarQus Johnson.
Josh was key player leading the Falcons to the quarter finals of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) playoffs in 2022. Josh graduated from St. Augustine's University in 2023 with one year of eligibility left to play. He made the difficult decision to end his basketball career on the court, but is currently coaching middle school and varsity basketball at The Field School in Washington, DC. in 2023-24 season, both teams went to the finals for the first time in school history. Josh also coaches AAU and is pursuing a masters degree in Sports Media and Marketing.
Josh has fought through anxiety and depression due to multiple setbacks involving his basketball career; however he has not allowed his struggles to define the man he has become. Josh speaks candidly in our second episode of HA26 Candid Conversations.
Patrick Johnson II
Patrick Johnson II is a 25 year old Washington, DC native. He was a three-star prospect by 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout. He attended and played football at McKinely Tech High School for two years prior to transferring to the Bullis School. He missed senior season due to injury.
McKinley Tech Stats:
- second-team All-DCIAA as a sophomore
- logging 53 tackles and 6 interceptions on defense
scoring 6 total touchdowns and punting for team,
- lettered in football, track and field
- honor roll student
Bullis Stats:
- second-team all-state (private school)
- first-team All-Interstate Athletic Conference as a junior
- recorded 48 tackles, 5 interceptions and scored 6 total touchdowns while amassing 693 all-purpose yards
- helped Bullis to back-to-back conference championships in two seasons at school
- lettered in football, track and field
Patrick received 26 football offers and chose to attend and play at The University of Wisconsin.
- Orange Bowl championship
- Cotton Bowl championship
- Pin Stripe Bowl championship
- Pre-season Top Ten College Breakout Player
“There isn’t anything I can not do” - a motto that I strongly believe in. It resonates with the characteristics that detail who I am today, a child of God. After my academia in the traditional school systems (elementary, High School, & college), the course of life seemed to restart itself despite the accolades, accomplishments, and rewards granted to me. Upon returning home from college there was a realization that after all the years I spent playing football, working towards a specific goal, it was over and no longer existed. Injuries made the end of football abrupt, I felt as if time had been wasted. I convinced myself that I had not done enough. While soaking in depression and stressing over the time that I could not get back, I began to search for new avenues to broaden my horizon. I felt I had to start from scratch again with new goals.
Returning home after 4-1/2 years of college, every segment of my life started with me - Patrick Johnson II, being beneath the underdogs. I was not considered during top player evaluations. Nevertheless, the attributes of consistency and persistence gave me the edge in life I needed to succeed. I block out the noise and keep my goal in sight. Currently, I have embarked on new adventures, made courses with new friends, and more than ever, have learned the importance of staying focused on what's meant for me.
Candid Conversations
Media
4evereternal Media was established in 2021 by Joshua and Justice Page. The company was named after the passing of Herb and represents that his memory will continue to live on through his grandchildren. 4evereternal Media will serve as the official videographers for Candid Conversations.
IG: @4evereternalmedia
