Universal Love Getting around Reece. [UPDATE: REECE RETIRES]

[sammm]

Good luck Reece. Hope you recover really well and look after yourself.

 

[Crow_Sting]

Brave, courageous and inspirational words Reece.
Thoughts with you while you fight this battle!
The whole yellow and black family is behind you.
Would love to see you around the club when you're in a good place and ready.
Remember footy is footy, health always comes first. All the best lad!

 

[Joffaboy]

Get well young man. You can see from here you have the support from the football community and supporters.

Wishing you well.

 

[theflea]

In a word- Courage. I'm proud of you mate.

The Flea.

 

[Defacto]

Good luck reece!!! Get well soon and keep your chin up

 

[Ancient Tiger]

People will probably judge me for posting on here because 'I'm a footballer and your not supposed to do that' but this is really the only place i know of where i can say thank you to everyone who has written such lovely words of support to me in recent times, i would do it on twitter but it has a character limit and i feel like doing it this way is more personal as it is the least i can do for all supporting messages i have read. The last two years for me have been really difficult, i don't want to go into specifics because i don't want to release really sensitive information but just know that it has affected me to the point where i have suffered spouts of depression for weeks at a time here and there, i don't drink or do drugs thankfully so i am grounded in myself to see and recognize the issues i have and the effect they have on me. It's only just recently as well that i realized i suffer some heavy anxiety (amazing to think but sometimes it is hard to put on finger on things especially in the grand scheme of mental health) it started off as little things like afraid to talk to certain coaches or trainers, feeling anxious around certain players, trying to avoid people in general and then it progressed into way more serious things like panic attacks, unable to leave my bedroom for multiple days and not even being able to respond to all the messages and calls on my phone that i received during that time as that is also another thing that i struggle with. I'm going to try and not saying anything here that will get me into trouble because i know that this will be seen by people at Richmond and i am still a contracted player at Richmond so i will respect that. I love footy i really do, i love watching, listening, playing and just knowing that we have a sport that is so special and so unique that it requires such a particular combination of physical and skill attributes that does not even remotely come close to any other sport (except Galic footy and rugby a little bit) i wanna be successful and i wanna be the best, that has always been my dream but dreams are just that they are dreams they are not reality, in your dreams you do not plan for depression or anxiety or any of the crap that knocks you down or holds you back but reality is s**t happens and that sucks but Rome wasn't built in a day (sorry for the clique) nor did any successful athlete not suffer a serious setback at one stage in his career and consider just throwing in the towel because it was too hard. Will i be playing football this year? I don't know, Be i do know that no matter how hard it gets or how low or how anxious i get, i will not give up until i can be the best footballer i possibly can be, because there is nothing else more in the world that i want more.

Thank you Richmond Supporters, i know you may not think it and i must admit i lol'd when reading a message that started with 'Reece if you are reading this' but i do see your messages and i do cherish them, you are some of the most passionate supporters i have seen in any sport and for some of you to even know who i am still humbles me especially when they remember my number which is amazing because i barracked for Carlton since i was born and i only knew 30 at most players (and i was a die hard (i am sorry but i do love Richmond as well <3) If you do see me around (even though i will look pretty anxious) don't be afraid to give me a hug as you'll find majority of the time i will probably be more nervous then you. I'm happy to talk more with you guys if you'd like even if there is a stigma associated with sporting forums because i am a human at the end of the day and i love football just as much as you guys do.

You're a legend Reece.

We all wish we could help you get over your illness. Time and professional help will heal you. Hang in there champ. We're all behind you. You are not alone if you don't want to be.

 

[tigers71]

Reece, I hope you take small steps day by day!! Hope through this struggle you find out who your friends are, I had abit of depression for which started in 2012 and through abit of counseling I am in a good space!! I hope you get to play your first game when you are ready ;-) That would be a huge story!!!

 

[sonnywalters]

I think we all Reece fans now. Footy or no footy.

 

[Choomah]

All the best big fella hope to see you back out on the park soon

 

[Lambot]

Look after yourself Reece!

 

[Tiger_ham]

People will probably judge me for posting on here because 'I'm a footballer and your not supposed to do that' but this is really the only place i know of where i can say thank you to everyone who has written such lovely words of support to me in recent times, i would do it on twitter but it has a character limit and i feel like doing it this way is more personal as it is the least i can do for all supporting messages i have read. The last two years for me have been really difficult, i don't want to go into specifics because i don't want to release really sensitive information but just know that it has affected me to the point where i have suffered spouts of depression for weeks at a time here and there, i don't drink or do drugs thankfully so i am grounded in myself to see and recognize the issues i have and the effect they have on me. It's only just recently as well that i realized i suffer some heavy anxiety (amazing to think but sometimes it is hard to put on finger on things especially in the grand scheme of mental health) it started off as little things like afraid to talk to certain coaches or trainers, feeling anxious around certain players, trying to avoid people in general and then it progressed into way more serious things like panic attacks, unable to leave my bedroom for multiple days and not even being able to respond to all the messages and calls on my phone that i received during that time as that is also another thing that i struggle with. I'm going to try and not saying anything here that will get me into trouble because i know that this will be seen by people at Richmond and i am still a contracted player at Richmond so i will respect that. I love footy i really do, i love watching, listening, playing and just knowing that we have a sport that is so special and so unique that it requires such a particular combination of physical and skill attributes that does not even remotely come close to any other sport (except Galic footy and rugby a little bit) i wanna be successful and i wanna be the best, that has always been my dream but dreams are just that they are dreams they are not reality, in your dreams you do not plan for depression or anxiety or any of the crap that knocks you down or holds you back but reality is s**t happens and that sucks but Rome wasn't built in a day (sorry for the clique) nor did any successful athlete not suffer a serious setback at one stage in his career and consider just throwing in the towel because it was too hard. Will i be playing football this year? I don't know, Be i do know that no matter how hard it gets or how low or how anxious i get, i will not give up until i can be the best footballer i possibly can be, because there is nothing else more in the world that i want more.

Thank you Richmond Supporters, i know you may not think it and i must admit i lol'd when reading a message that started with 'Reece if you are reading this' but i do see your messages and i do cherish them, you are some of the most passionate supporters i have seen in any sport and for some of you to even know who i am still humbles me especially when they remember my number which is amazing because i barracked for Carlton since i was born and i only knew 30 at most players (and i was a die hard (i am sorry but i do love Richmond as well <3) If you do see me around (even though i will look pretty anxious) don't be afraid to give me a hug as you'll find majority of the time i will probably be more nervous then you. I'm happy to talk more with you guys if you'd like even if there is a stigma associated with sporting forums because i am a human at the end of the day and i love football just as much as you guys do.

Cannot begin to fathom the courage that that must have taken. Absolutely touching message and really shows that we're all human and regardless of profession we all have out struggles. Wish you all the best with this mate, hang in there, we're all behind you.

 

[Calcium Man]

Good luck Reece, what you posted took an enormous amount of courage. I wish you all the best for future what ever transpires.

I do truly hope to see you one day in the Yellow and Black as I watched you play VFL against the Hawks last year and you were superb.

 

[Ruby_Belle]

All the best Recee. Get better soon. Cant wait to see what you achieve in life. Whether it is on or off the footy field.

Thank you for posting this. I like so many, know personally how isolating mental illness can be. So thank you for speaking up. Just remember "we'll fight and fight and win"

 

[RogerDean]

There's something about weaving through heavy traffic and coming out the other side with the ball clean in your hands that can make you feel good Reece.

 

[SouthernStripes]

Brave words mate. It's not easy to open up like that. Wishing you all the best in your recovery and hope to see you smashing some packs in the yellow and black again soon!

 

[Rustof]

All the best, macca2112

It mustn't've been easy to do this. It may only be words on a screen, but we're all here for you and support you in whatever you decide. We just want you to be happy, whether that be with football or not, we're behind you 100%.

 

[Wild Westiger]

Reece, when I read your post last night I was taken by the honesty and rawness of it all. This thread shows that not only Richmond people but the entire footy community is with you in this. All power to you, buddy. You're a very brave young man to have shared your story.

 

[Bltiger]

Keep fighting Reece to win the war of depression as it's a very long roller-coaster battle to overcome for many people who struggle with life. Take great care champion and enjoy your time away with family and friends who support you.

 

[kimbopen]

Well done, Reece, for having the guts to come on here and tell your story. Balls of steel, mate, balls of steel.

Depression and anxiety are such bastards - they make you feel like you're not good enough when all you wanted to do was give it a go. With the attitude and courage you have shown here, I reckon you will kick both of their butts, then go back and kick them both again just for the hell of it!

All the best, mate. Footy is obviously a distant second for you at the moment, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your fight to overcome these demons.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

All the best Reece and thank you for your wonderful post. Just the sort of post that will no doubt help others who are having similar feelings and are struggling, like you were, with what it all means. And I commend you for reaching out to the wider footy family because that can be a very scary thing to do - baring your soul and asking for support and understanding. But as you can see we are all right behind you. I can only add my best wishes as others have done and say that things will get better, hang in there and get all the support you need because you deserve it

 

[Sassafras]

All the best Reece and thank you for your wonderful post. Just the sort of post that will no doubt help others who are having similar feelings and are struggling, like you were, with what it all means. And I commend you for reaching out to the wider footy family because that can be a very scary thing to do - baring your soul and asking for support and understanding. But as you can see we are all right behind you. I can only add my best wishes as others have done and say that things will get better, hang in there and get all the support you need because you deserve it

Perfectly said.

 

[austinnn]

People will probably judge me for posting on here because 'I'm a footballer and your not supposed to do that' but this is really the only place i know of where i can say thank you to everyone who has written such lovely words of support to me in recent times, i would do it on twitter but it has a character limit and i feel like doing it this way is more personal as it is the least i can do for all supporting messages i have read. The last two years for me have been really difficult, i don't want to go into specifics because i don't want to release really sensitive information but just know that it has affected me to the point where i have suffered spouts of depression for weeks at a time here and there, i don't drink or do drugs thankfully so i am grounded in myself to see and recognize the issues i have and the effect they have on me. It's only just recently as well that i realized i suffer some heavy anxiety (amazing to think but sometimes it is hard to put on finger on things especially in the grand scheme of mental health) it started off as little things like afraid to talk to certain coaches or trainers, feeling anxious around certain players, trying to avoid people in general and then it progressed into way more serious things like panic attacks, unable to leave my bedroom for multiple days and not even being able to respond to all the messages and calls on my phone that i received during that time as that is also another thing that i struggle with. I'm going to try and not saying anything here that will get me into trouble because i know that this will be seen by people at Richmond and i am still a contracted player at Richmond so i will respect that. I love footy i really do, i love watching, listening, playing and just knowing that we have a sport that is so special and so unique that it requires such a particular combination of physical and skill attributes that does not even remotely come close to any other sport (except Galic footy and rugby a little bit) i wanna be successful and i wanna be the best, that has always been my dream but dreams are just that they are dreams they are not reality, in your dreams you do not plan for depression or anxiety or any of the crap that knocks you down or holds you back but reality is s**t happens and that sucks but Rome wasn't built in a day (sorry for the clique) nor did any successful athlete not suffer a serious setback at one stage in his career and consider just throwing in the towel because it was too hard. Will i be playing football this year? I don't know, Be i do know that no matter how hard it gets or how low or how anxious i get, i will not give up until i can be the best footballer i possibly can be, because there is nothing else more in the world that i want more.

Thank you Richmond Supporters, i know you may not think it and i must admit i lol'd when reading a message that started with 'Reece if you are reading this' but i do see your messages and i do cherish them, you are some of the most passionate supporters i have seen in any sport and for some of you to even know who i am still humbles me especially when they remember my number which is amazing because i barracked for Carlton since i was born and i only knew 30 at most players (and i was a die hard (i am sorry but i do love Richmond as well <3) If you do see me around (even though i will look pretty anxious) don't be afraid to give me a hug as you'll find majority of the time i will probably be more nervous then you. I'm happy to talk more with you guys if you'd like even if there is a stigma associated with sporting forums because i am a human at the end of the day and i love football just as much as you guys do.

Good on you Reece, I hope you find whatever you need to live a happy and anxiety free life, and remember that despite club loyalty, we'll all support you no matter how you are. Take care mate, and I hope to see you succeeding in life, whether that means playing well or just being good with who you are.

 

[Snout]

Mate, I wish I had half the strength and courage you've shown here.

Someone told me once when I was in a really dark place that the best thing I could do for myself was to reach out to people, and that I'd be amazed at how understanding and caring they'd be.

I was too scared to do so, I withdrew into myself, and things got pretty bad. I got through it eventually, but I didn't make it easy for myself.

So, I wanted to say a very genuine, heartfelt thank you for the inspirational way that you've taken a step that terrified the hell out of me. I always thought that opening myself up to people would just give them a chance to bring me down; what I'm seeing here is that people are more interested in helping to build a mate back up.

Anyway, for what it's worth, you have my total respect and admiration. And I'll be cheering you on whether you're on the footy field or just finding what works for you to be happy.

All the best.

 

[lethalsaints]

All the best Reece

 

[Diehard Saint]

Good luck Reece. What a brave thing you just did.
You have the whole football community behind you.
Be kind to yourself, you deserve it.