Breiden Fehoko, who played alongside Joe Burrow at LSU but never shared NFL teams with him, publicly condemned the NFL’s handling of player mental health on social media this past Saturday. Fehoko used his platform to call out what he sees as the league’s insincere messaging about supporting players’ well-being, accusing NFL teams of prioritizing performance over genuine care.
Fehoko expressed frustration that while NFL franchises post mental health awareness messages encouraging players to seek help, the reality within these organizations is very different. He stated that most players avoid reaching out for mental health assistance internally due to fear of being stigmatized or treated differently by team staff, which he has personally witnessed.
“These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts talking about they care about players ‘don’t be afraid to reach out’ etc,” he posted. “All they care about is what you bring to the table when it’s game day.”
“Most players don’t wanna get help inside the building of an NFL organization because they know you’ll get looked at differently. You go to a staff member tell em you struggling watch how different they start treating and looking at you. I seen it first hand..”
Context Surrounding Fehoko’s Comments and Recent Tragedy
Fehoko’s remarks came shortly after the unexpected death of Rondale Moore, a wide receiver who passed away on Saturday in New Albany, Indiana. New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey reported that Moore was found with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. These developments have intensified conversations around mental health challenges within the NFL community.
Several players and insiders have also voiced their grief and concerns following Moore’s passing. Hollywood Brown shared a private text message exchange revealing his awareness of Moore’s struggles, while Jamal Adams criticized the stigma surrounding injury-prone labels for players facing physical and mental hardships.
Joe Burrow Reflects on His Mental Health During the 2025 NFL Season
In the closing stages of the 2025 NFL season, Joe Burrow openly discussed his mental state and passion for football amid ongoing injury setbacks. Speaking before a game against the Baltimore Ravens in December, Burrow candidly acknowledged the toll that the season had taken on his enthusiasm for the sport.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it,” Burrow said. “You know, I’ve been through a lot and if it’s not fun then what am I doing it for? So, that’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table.”
When asked directly whether he was enjoying playing football as much as he used to, Burrow gave a mixed answer.
“Do I have fun playing? I mean, how much? Winning’s always fun, but in general, was it as fun as before? No, I wouldn’t say it was that way,” Burrow said.
The Impact of Mental Health Issues on Players and the NFL’s Future
Now entering his seventh season, Joe Burrow has amassed impressive career achievements, including holding the all-time highest completion percentage at 68.5%. Despite his success, his recent openness highlights the emotional strain many players endure behind the scenes. The juxtaposition of Burrow’s performance and personal challenges underscores the complexity of mental health in professional football.
Breiden Fehoko’s criticism brings to light a deeper conversation about the NFL’s responsibility to foster environments where players feel truly supported, not just publicly encouraged. The tragedy of Rondale Moore’s death further underscores the urgent need for authentic mental health resources and cultural change within teams and the league.
How the NFL responds to these concerns could shape the future well-being and career longevity of its players, including stars like Burrow. Awareness alone is no longer sufficient; meaningful action and support structures appear essential to transforming the league’s mental health landscape.
Imma keep it a stack.. I don’t care, I’m retired I’ll say what I want. These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts talking about they care about players “don’t be afraid to reach out”etc. All they care about is what you bring to the table when it’s…
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) February 22, 2026
