The suicide of Robert Enke, the former German National Goalkeeper, raised awareness of depression among sportspeople
I HAVE always had a regard for cricketer Andrew Flintoff. His career was the epitome of perseverance. It required a belief in himself that would finally allow the England selectors to see through his bulky frame and into the talented fast bowler and all rounder that he was to become.
His innings of 135 in 2000 against Surrey in the quarter-final of the Natwest Trophy was a thing of beauty, but still he suffered criticism for lack of consistency, only some of which was justified.
In 2001, despite getting onto the England team after hitting a 42 not out against Zimbabwe, he remodelled his bowling technique, but suffered from chronic batting which saw him burst into tears in the dressing room in pure frustration.
However, he pulled himself together to run out Kumble and bowl out Srinrath in successive balls to win the match. At this stage, India had only needed 11 to win.
It was a historic victory and television pictures will show him removing his shirt in pure emotion and relief. A highly strung, passionate and very emotional player.
His success in the subsequent Ashes has been well documented, but it wasn’t all fairy stories for Freddie.
Flintoff suffered from depression during a colourful career which at times was blighted by injury and self doubt.
He is not alone in this. Frank Bruno, Serena Williams, Kelly Holmes and Neil Lennon are only a few of the well known sports stars who have suffered from this illness.
And of course last month, Robert Enke, the talented German keeper took his own life as a result of a deep depression which consumed him to the extent that he could no longer live with himself.
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