Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is not pleased with the NFL’s priorities.
With the beginning of training camp less than a month away, the NFL is going through the process of preparing for the 2020 season. Among the many things on the league’s to-do list is player drug testing in the fall. On Wednesday, Enunwa received a reminder from the NFLPA about the testing and took to Twitter to question why the NFL emphasizes drug testing its players instead of ensuring their mental health amid a pandemic and rampant social and racial injustices taking place throughout America.
“Just got the NFLPA reminder about drug testing this Fall,” Enunwa said. “Boy, the NFL sure did hold on tight to testing for weed but spent very little time making sure players were taking care of their mental health during this time.”
Enunwa has never been one to shy away from speaking up when it comes to promoting mental health awareness. He recently held a live Q&A session about mental health on the official NFL Players Association Twitter account and told ESPN’s Rich Cimini in May that he wants to become a sports-performance therapist once his playing days come to an end.
“Helping guys with their mental health,” Enunwa said. “That’s my goal.”
Enunwa, who is sidelined for the 2020 season due to a neck injury, is using his time away from football to bring awareness to the cause. With help from his wife, Enunwa is donating to multiple organizations that “aim to provide culturally affirming therapy to people of color,” according to his Instagram.
“My wife created and is selling #BlackFeelingsMatter masks,” Enunwa wrote. “When people are continually looking for ways to give back, she’s found an amazing one. 100% of proceeds will be donated to @therapyforblackgirls and National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, which aim to provide culturally affirming therapy to people of color.”
Enunwa’s career might be in jeopardy, but that has not stopped him from using his platform to bring awareness to something that impacts players around the NFL and millions of people around the world. His tweet calling out the league for its lack of action surrounding mental health awareness while it remains vigilant in its enforcement of drug testing is the latest example of the 28-year-old standing up for what he believes in.