Tag: Quincy Enunwa mental health

Quincy Enunwa blasts NFL’s drug testing policy, lack of mental health concern

Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa called out the NFL’s drug testing policy and its lack of concern for mental health on Wednesday.

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.

Jets WR Quincy Enunwa promoting mental health awareness with help from his wife

Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is using his platform and a little help from his wife to promote mental health awareness.

Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is getting a head start on his post-NFL desire to help people with mental health issues.

Enunwa has long been a proponent of 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.”

With a neck injury sidelining him for the entire 2020 season and putting his career in serious jeopardy, Enunwa is making the most of his time away from football. With a little help from his wife, the 28-year-old is doing his part to give back and help those dealing with mental health issues, taking to Instagram to bring awareness to the cause.

“I was once somebody who didn’t think I could be affected by mental illness,” Enunwa said on Thursday. “I always believed my will would push me through any issue. If I was really a ‘Man,’ I could deal with my own problems. I managed to live that way for a while, and then I injured my neck again. Suddenly, just being a man wasn’t enough. I needed something to help me figure out what I was going through.

“Long story short, I found therapy and in it a space to process not only what I was going through, but also my relationships, friendships, and being black in America. Some people may think, “But Q, you just signed a 4-year extension, I would have just wiped my tears with those dollar bills,” and to that, I say you right, but mental illness doesn’t discriminate.”

Enunwa continued his promotion of mental health awareness through face masks his wife has created amid the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that all proceeds from purchases will be donated to multiple organizations that “aim to provide culturally affirming therapy to people of color.”

“My wife created and is selling #BlackFeelingsMatter masks,” Enunwa said. 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.

“As I continue to evolve and use my platform for change, I refuse to allow my community to continue to struggle in the dark. Asking for help isn’t weak and you’re not alone in your struggle. Like @beastmode said, “Take care of your mental.”

Quincy Enunwa hopes to be a sports-performance therapist after his NFL career

Quincy Enunwa wants to help athletes with their mental health following his NFL career.

Quincy Enunwa still wants to remain in sports after his football career ends.

The Jets wide receiver has already been ruled out for the 2020 season due to a lingering neck injury. While Enunwa is going to continue rehabbing his injury with the hope he can still play football again, he is also going to use his extra time to explore his life after football. His goal is to become a sports-performance therapist.

“Helping guys with their mental health, that’s my goal,” Enunwa rcently told ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

The topic of mental health has been one that Enunwa has discussed frequently of late. He posted on Twitter last month about May being Mental Health Awareness Month. Enunwa shared that he’s taking care of his own mental health through workouts, therapy and gaming.

Enunwa also participated in a Mental Awareness Q&A with the NFLPA last month. He was asked about what he hears when people don’t understand depression and what methods he uses when mental health issues are present.

Not many athletes know what they’re going to do following their playing careers, but Enunwa seems like he has his next chapter figured out. The odds of him playing again seem unlikely, but he hasn’t closed that door yet, either.

Enunwa showed plenty of promise following the 2016 season when he had 857 receiving yards for the Jets. However, he missed all of the 2017 season with his first neck injury before coming back for 11 games in 2018. In 2019, Enunwa hurt his neck for the second time and only played in one game. Now he’s going to miss the second full season of his career.