Logo

From the Locker Room to the Therapist’s Office: Bears’ New Mental Health Program Shocks the NFL by Exposing the Silent Battles of Legends

Chicago, Illinois – 12/13/2025

The NFL was shaken on Saturday morning when the Chicago Bears — one of the league’s most storied franchises — unveiled the first comprehensive mental-health support program designed specifically for the team’s former players. This wasn’t a PR move, nor a charity gesture, but a painful acknowledgment of the invisible battles many Bears legends have been forced to fight alone after walking away from the game.

An accompanying internal report revealed an alarming number: nearly 70% of former Bears players have dealt with depression, career-related trauma, anxiety disorders, or identity collapse after retirement. Some were icons at Soldier Field, warriors defined by toughness, yet quietly fell apart without the roar of the crowd holding them up.

Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 23, Jay Hilgenberg – Chicago  Tribune

Today, the Bears chose to break that silence.

“We used to believe the battles ended when they walked out of the stadium,” a Bears representative said. “But many of them only begin the biggest fight of their lives once they return to the real world — without cheers, without teammates, without cameras. It’s time we step beside them and show that the Bears family never leaves anyone behind.”

The new program, called the “Monsters of Support Initiative” — inspired by the legendary “Monsters of the Midway” — includes one-on-one therapy, advanced neurological evaluation, financial and legal counseling, cognitive recovery training, dedicated wellness spaces in Chicago, and mentorship groups led by icons like Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, and Lance Briggs.

According to team leadership, the goal isn’t just assistance — it’s restoration of dignity for the men who sacrificed their bodies and futures to keep Chicago’s pride burning bright.

As more former NFL players publicly share their struggles, the Bears have chosen to lead — not in the standings, but in the most human fight the league has ever faced.

And once again, Chicago sends a clear message:
The Monsters of the Midway deserve protection long after the lights go out.

More Than Football: Trevor Lawrence Leads the Jaguars With Heart and Responsibility to the Jacksonville Community
The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2026 offseason with renewed expectations, and at the center of every plan remains Trevor Lawrence. But this time, the star quarterback isn’t making headlines with his throws or schemes, but with a deeply meaningful community-driven decision that shows his leadership extends far beyond football. In an emotional announcement, Trevor Lawrence committed $5 million from his personal endorsement deals to launch an initiative supporting the homeless population in Jacksonville. The project aims to build permanent housing, expand shelter centers, and provide job training programs for families facing hardship. Lawrence shared that the decision stems from a personal sense of responsibility to the city that believed in him from day one. Jacksonville is not just where he plays — it’s a community he wants to be part of for the long term. To Lawrence, true leadership isn’t defined in meeting rooms or on the field, but in how he uses his influence. “Jacksonville gave me opportunity, trust, and a home. I can’t stand by knowing there are families struggling every night just to find a safe place to sleep. I’m not doing this for attention — I’m doing it because I believe my responsibility is to help this city become stronger, more united, and more humane.” Inside the locker room, the response to Lawrence’s action has been nothing but respect. Teammates view it as clear proof of the team-first mentality the Jaguars are building. Coaches believe those values will shape a sustainable identity as the team enters its next competitive phase. Jacksonville has long faced social challenges, particularly homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. Lawrence’s contribution is more than financial — it serves as a moral catalyst, drawing attention from local businesses and nonprofit organizations across the region. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this is the ideal image of a franchise quarterback. Lawrence isn’t just the player the system is built around — he’s the face of the organization’s culture, responsibility, and connection to its city. Trevor Lawrence still has major goals on the field, from playoff runs to chasing a Super Bowl. But with this action, he has already left a different kind of mark — one that’s more lasting and meaningful. To Jacksonville, Lawrence is not just the quarterback of the future, but a symbol of trust, compassion, and true leadership.