David Montgomery Reveals What Led To Suicidal Thoughts During NFL Rookie Year

NFL running back David Montgomery has revealed the dark side of his football career, sharing that the intense pressure and backlash from fantasy football fans once pushed him to suicidal thoughts.

In a candid and emotional discussion, the current Detroit Lions running back detailed how the relentless criticism during his rookie year left him struggling with his mental health.

As fantasy football continues to grow in popularity, David Montgomery’s story sheds light on the heavy toll it can take on athletes, reminding fans that the game is more than just numbers on a screen.

David Montgomery was a rookie in the NFL during the 2019 season. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

“When I was a rookie, I had a real, real stressful time in the league,” Montgomery said on Sports Illustrated’s “Fantasy Dirt” podcast with Michael Fabiano and Lindsay Rhodes, per The New York Post. “I was at a point where I would have this suicidal thought and it just a depressing and a scary year for me."

"And unfortunately, fantasy, the people in fantasy were kind of helping — they were helping me kind of be aided to feeling that way. I was at a point where I was scared to live," he added.

NFL players often face harsh and vocal criticism on social media from fantasy football participants when they fail to meet statistical expectations. Even if a player performs well for their team, if they don't deliver in the fantasy world, fans can be relentless.

Players already face the physical and emotional strain of injuries, but fantasy football adds an extra layer of pressure. For David Montgomery, this burden weighed heavily on his mental health, pushing him to a breaking point.

However, Montgomery revealed that a simple phone call with his nephew became a turning point, giving him a fresh perspective on life and helping him find hope during one of his darkest moments.

“I went through all of that stuff and one person who saved my life was my nephew," the running back said. "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."

"And my nephew called me, right when I was in the midst of doing so," he continued. "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.

The constant pressure to deliver for fantasy football owners' week after week can intensify feelings of anxiety and depression in players.

In situations like David Montgomery’s, athletes may grapple with the overwhelming expectations, particularly when they feel as though they’re disappointing not just their team, but an entire community of fantasy football fans.

“Yeah, it was scary, but I got a really good therapist,” Montgomery recalled of that time in his life, especially when he was battling the suicidal thoughts. “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."

The 27-year-old consistently delivers solid performances, averaging over 800 rushing yards and nearly eight touchdowns per season.

In his rookie year in 2019, Montgomery rushed for 889 yards and six touchdowns, while also contributing 25 catches for 185 yards and an additional touchdown.

But clearly, that was not enough for fantasy team owners.

He continued, "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.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.