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@stephenasmith your comments about Lane were ignorant and disrespectful. Saying afterward that you would never make light of mental health doesn’t erase the way you spoke about Lane.
Lane is my brother. I know the MAN beyond the uniform. You’re speaking with certainty about a decision you don’t have the personal context to explain.
You can assess what his absence means for the Eagles. But suggesting he wouldn’t walk away if they were winning is reckless. A winning record doesn’t tell you whether somebody is okay.
Mental health doesn’t follow the NFL schedule. It ain’t linear. It’s DAILY. A man can commit to a season and later recognize that continuing comes at a cost he can no longer carry. He has every right to act on that.
We ask these men to be accountable to their teammates, coaches, organizations and fans. That responsibility also extends to their children, their families and THEMSELVES.
Think about what your delivery tells the next person who is struggling and afraid to speak up. That their honesty might become material for somebody’s next segment.
Lane doesn’t owe you private details to earn your respect. He told us all what he needed to prioritize. That should have been enough.
You have a massive platform. Carry the responsibility that comes with it. Our world is divided enough
-Duke