Titans HC Mike Vrabel Commends WR A.J. Brown for…

NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Monday commended receiver A.J. Brown for his bravery in revealing his battle with depression.

In an Instagram video post Friday, Brown opened up about his struggles with depression in recent years.

“I appreciate A.J.’s courage, and willingness to share that message,” Vrabel said. “I am glad that we have been able to provide a safe space for most everybody that’s been willing to reach out, to talk to somebody here, to somebody outside of here. And it’s our job, it’s part of our job, to make sure that they can deal with the stresses of life, the stresses of professional football, the strain it sometimes puts on the family.

“I appreciate his courage, and hopefully his message can help somebody else feel comfortable to seek help, to get things off their chest, to be able to talk through things, and I think that is a great example.”

In the video Brown posted on Instagram and TikTok on Friday night, he revealed he considered taking his life a year ago Friday, but said talking to another person helped him.

He encouraged others to get help.

“I’m kind of nervous, even to be saying this, but a year ago from today, I thought about taking my own life. I had no more hope for better days and everything was just going wrong for me,” Brown said in his video. “The reason why I am sharing this message today to you is that I’m still here, I’m still going, I’m still smiling, and I’ve got a lot of things to be grateful for. I just want to encourage everyone to protect your mental and talk to someone. Get things off your chest. Do things that make you happy. It’s so important.

“I didn’t think depression was real until it happened to me,” Brown continued in the video. “But now I know it’s really real. Guys, just talk to someone, gets things off your chest, and take depression seriously.”