Green Bay Packers tight end Jace Sternberger pointed to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and coach Matt LaFleur as champions of mental health awareness within the team’s locker room.
Sternberger, who is facing a two-game suspension to start the 2021 season, explained the role Rodgers and LaFleur have played in benefitting players on the mental health side in an interview with Peter Bukowski of Locked On Packers.
“You have to give props to 12,” Sternberger said. “He’s made that a very big issue in the locker room and the organization…Aaron was a big advocate with Dr. (Chris) Carr. Basically, it’s ok to have feelings, and it’s ok to discuss things. Just love yourself.”
The Packers hired Dr. Carr to be the team’s Director of Performance Psychology and Team Behavioral Health Clinician in April of 2020.
Rodgers has spoken on the record about mental healthy many times over the years, most recently regarding Dak Prescott’s openness on the subject last year.
Thought I’d ask Aaron Rodgers today about mental health, specifically what he thinks the value of people like him and Dak Prescott talking about their headspace, happiness and mental well-being has in destigmatizing talking about that stuff.
His full answer: pic.twitter.com/OtZ4kN1915
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 23, 2020
Sternberger said LaFleur and the Packers have consistently made it a priority to help players.
“Coach LaFleur and his staff, they have taken that with such pride. From hiring Chris Carr to be a personal sports psychiatrist therapist for everyone, and just how serious they’ve taken the whole mental health thing,” Sternberger said.
Sternberger, a third-round pick in 2019, admitted going through some personal issues during his journey in the NFL, especially surrounding the incident – which he explained here – that led to his suspension.
He said it’s healthy for all players to “let your guard down” and “be open” and “communicate” when times get hard.
The Packers have been in his corner providing support throughout the entire process.
“I don’t think I could have gone to a better organization to get help,” Sternberger said. “To give teams advice, I would say call coach LaFleur and literally copycat what they are doing. Just how they are handling everything. I do feel comfortable. I could talk to any of our coaches and they would be there to help. Props to them.”
