Washington Huskies wide receiver Isaiah Renfro announced on Sunday that he would be walking away from football, but for a reason that you might not typically expect to hear from an athlete.
In a Twitter post, Renfro thanked doctors and close friends for helping him “out of a dark place before it was too late.” He says that he struggled with depression and anxiety, and that the game felt like a job to him now. He also details that he had checked into a hospital, and a special program to help deal with his condition and how he now has a better outlook on life:
Been debating on posting this but this is me taking steps in the right direction to becoming myself again.. pic.twitter.com/ptE1k9oKKJ
— Zay Woods (@WaveGodZay) May 29, 2016
Renfro also took time to thank his coaches, and officially announce that not only would he not be playing football for Washington anymore, but he also would no longer be attending the university.
Renfro closed with the following:
“This isn’t the end of me, just the end of a certain chapter. I will conquer this, and not let this situation conquer me. I’m on a journey to find my happiness again.”
In his one season at Washington, Renfro appeared in eight games, collecting 13 receptions and 178 yards.
The one stat that matters more than anything on the football fiel, is that Renfro appears to be taking a big win against his depression and anxiety. Surely he will take that peace of mind over football success any day of the week.
