It was kind of easy to dislike Brandon Marshall early in his NFL career.
Marshall burst onto the scene as Jay Cutler’s favorite target in Denver back in 2007, when he hauled in 102 catches for over 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns. Things quickly soured though as shortly thereafter, the 6’4” 230 pound flanker found himself suffering serious injuries for ridiculous reasons, butting heads with coaches, and was involved in numerous scrapes with the law for a wide range of reasons. Towards the end of his tenure with the Broncos, Marshall had intentionally worn out his welcome, to the point that he was openly insubordinate in practice, which led to his suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. He was also benched once for arriving late to the team’s physical therapy facility. Eventually, Marshall — who had earned a bit of a diva reputation— would be traded to the Miami Dolphins, where in two seasons, his production would fail to live up to his sizable salary.
In 2011, Brandon Marshall revealed that he had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD). BPD is a mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior and relationships, whose recipients can endure problems with regulating emotions and thoughts, impulsive and reckless behavior, and unstable relationships with other people.
Since going public with his condition, Marshall was traded to the Chicago Bears, where his career (and seemingly his personal life) has enjoyed a much needed revival. He was reunited with Jay Cutler — the quarterback who helped create Marshall’s most productive years in the NFL with the Broncos — and has since been a model citizen and teammate.
The result? An All-Pro selection in 2012, a Pro-Bowl selection in 2013 and a new contract with the Bears in 2014— three years, $30 million (with $23 million in guaranteed money), which he actually signed on ABC’s The View.
Marshall’s Incredible Hulk kicks may have gotten him fined, but he did score 2 TDs that night.
It was here that Marshall and his wife announced a $1 million pledge to metal health community on behalf of The Brandon Marshall Foundation. The details behind this donation are not yet know, but by the looks of things, the money will find its way into the right hands, as Marshall appears to take this cause as seriously as football, maybe more.
Last year, B Marshall took to the field on Monday Night Football wearing bright green cleats in October, aka National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The NFL proudly supports breast cancer awareness, so it’s standard procedure to see the entire league rock pink gear in during October games. Marshall decided to use this platform to draw attention to his cause, and wore the cleats to promote the lesser known Mental Health Awareness Week. Although he was fined $10,500, Marshall, according to the Chicago Tribune, planned to match that amount in the form of another donation to a charity involved with mental illnesses associated with breast cancer diagnoses.
“This fine is nothing compared to the conversation started & awareness raised,” Marshall tweeted.
As a person who has had family members affected by both breast cancer and mental health issues, I find Brandon Marshall’s actions incredibly bold and refreshing. The maturity Marshall has shown since entering the league, and in the public eye no less, has been nothing short of impressive. As a football fan and fantasy football owner of Brandon Marshall each of the least two seasons (one title and one championship game appearance with #15 on the roster), I wholeheartedly support this deal and I hope his on-field production stays top notch.
In all seriousness, Brandon Marshall is dope and the way he’s accepted his own issues and thrown himself behind this movement should be commended. Many athletes, specifically football players, and very specifically wide receivers, are saddled with labels like “diva” and “prima donna”. Brandon Marshall has not only shaken off those designations, but his commitment to the promotion of mental health has made him one of the great role models and a leaders in the NFL today.
Looks likes there’s a few brothas doing some great things up in Chi-City right now.