Kyle Long opens up on NFL pressure, injuries, depression and therapy’s turning point

Former Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long is speaking openly about anxiety and depression during his NFL career, including a difficult day at training camp when he felt unable to leave the team bus. In an interview with PEOPLE, he said therapy, honest conversations and support from people close to him helped him understand what was happening. Long is now sharing his experience through Johnson & Johnson’s Generation Fine campaign.Kyle Long opens up about depression during his NFL careerLong said his mental health struggles may have started when he was young. He had trouble explaining how he felt and believed it was simply part of growing up. After entering the NFL, playing pressure, injuries and losing games brought stronger fear, stress and anxiety.“That’s when it became tangible stress, fear and anxiety,” Long told PEOPLE. “And then you start losing games and you start to really sink into that depression.