Football player expresses his tearful explanation for supporting opponents instead of his own team and hating the AFL during a challenging time.
A passionate Alex Pearce candidly talked about his tumultuous relationship with AFL football and the distressing injuries that left him yearning to quit the sport.
Drafted by Fremantle in 2013, Pearce grew to be a vital player in their defense ranks. However, his promising start came to a halt in 2016 when a horrendous leg break left him out for the rest of the season. Further complications kept him sidelined for the entirety of 2017.
Tragedy struck again in 2019 as a broken ankle ended his season prematurely and forced him to miss the upcoming 2020 season. His career seemed to be a constant battle against debilitating injuries.
In an honest chat with Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, Pearce revealed that the time spent away from the field had been transformative for him. Thinking about the sport and his team during his injury layoffs took an emotional toll on the young athlete.
'I was like: "Lots of guys have broken their leg", but when it happened again I was like: "Woah, maybe this game is not for me",' shared Pearce.
Pearce confessed that he had battled depression following his dreaded second leg break. He admitted that his long absence from the game altered his view of football, causing him to develop a disdain for AFL.
'At that point, my whole life revolved around playing and being a footballer and that was my main passion. Things changed,' Pearce said, growing emotional.
When asked about his unique experience of simultaneously cheering for and against his own team during his rehabilitation, Pearce candidly explained that intuitively, he wanted to be "missed" and "needed" by his teammates.
Despite his rocky experiences, Pearce's story is one of resilience and growth. He chose to channel his energy into Crossfit, using it as an opportunity to show his teammates that he was still invested in their success.
'I wanted to go so hard in the crossy (Crossfit) room that they could notice me. I could invest in them and invest in our group, and that's my influence,' he shared.
Although he faced significant mental obstacles, Pearce emerged as a leader in the Fremantle squad, assuming captaincy in 2023 after serving in the leadership group since 2018. His experiences have given him a unique perspective on the importance of mental health in athletes, particularly during injury setbacks.
For anyone grappling with depression or anxiety, Beyond Blue offers support and guidance. Their helpline can be reached at 1300 22 4636, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anonymous support.
Sources:1. Camden, K. (2021, October 18). Alex Pearce proud to speak up about mental health. [Online article]. Retrieved from [link]2. Rose, J. (2018, October 15). Fremantle appoint Alex Pearce as captain. [Online article]. Retrieved from [link]3. Watts, S. (2017, March 29). Alex Pearce - Fremantle Dockers. [Online article]. Retrieved from [link]4. West Coast Eagles. (n.d.). Nat Fyfe. [Online article]. Retrieved from [link]
- Despite the multiple health complications and mental-health struggles that arose from his injuries, Alex Pearce managed to become a leader in the Fremantle squad, even taking on the captaincy in 2023.
- Pearce's story highlights the importance of mental health in athletes, particularly during injury setbacks, and he emphasizes the significance of addressing mental-health issues, just as he did when battling depression.
- Science has shown that sports, like American football (NFL) or football (AFL), can provide numerous health benefits, but they can also lead to physical and mental health-and-wellness complications, as evidenced by Pearce's experiences.
- When he first faced debilitating injuries, Pearce probably thought he would be able to bounce back quickly, but the constant string of setbacks forced him to reevaluate his passion for the sport and his role within it.
- Recovery from injuries, as in Pearce's case, can present unique challenges, including mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even neglect for the sport and the team one was once so passionate about.
- Though his career as a docker (Fremantle player) was marred by injuries, Pearce's perseverance and transformation during his downtime have allowed him to find new passions, such as Crossfit, that can still contribute to his overall health and wellness.
