What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger?
The definition of what it means to be “mentally tough” is subjective as many athletes, coaches, and Sport Psychologists understand the vicinity of the term, but may not collectively agree on its exact characterization. Does it mean fighting through adversity? Performing well under pressure? I tend to side more with the belief that athletes who have superior mental skills will simply perform at the highest level that they’re capable of regardless of exterior circumstances – whether that be an opposing crowd, adversity throughout a game, pressure of a moment, or challenges off the field.
Typically, mentally tough athletes possess both mental skills and intangible character qualities that allow them to maintain a high level of performance. Mental skills such as attention and focus, confidence, emotional regulation, and anxiety management; character qualities such as unrelenting effort, consistency, and passion for the game.
Athletes often find that mental skills they develop to improve their performance on the field are really life skills that will help them in the personal, academic, social, family, work, etc. domains of their lives. In other words, mental skills that help them perform have a high level of overlap and utility in their life off the field.
This brings us to the 2021 Dallas Cowboys, and the idea that developing resilience for life’s challenges off the field can be directly applied to an athlete’s ability to fight through adversity on the field. Over the past few years, several players on the team have gone through extenuatingly difficult experiences ranging from sudden deaths in the family, devastating injuries, bouts of depression, and struggles with substance use as a means to self-medicate for mental health struggles. In 2020, quarterback Dak Prescott openly discussed seeking mental health therapy for depression after his older brother took his own life. Dak had previously lost his mother to cancer. Wide receiver Michael Gallup empathized with Prescott, as he also lost his brother to suicide during the 2018 season. Cowboys standout defensive end Randy Gregory has battled through a multitude of mental health and substance use problems since joining the league, resulting in several suspensions. Gregory has discussed his utilization of mental health services as well, saying “My anxiety is going to be something I deal with on a day-to-day basis, but I truly feel like I have all the tools in place, and the right mindset,” as he noted relaxation and self-talk skills he learned in therapy.
Despite immense loss personally, mental health struggles with star players, devastating injuries specifically to the quarterback which resulted in a 6-10 season last year, the Cowboys are healthy both mentally and physically, and atop their division with a 5-1 record in 2021. The team is confident, clutch under pressure as they’ve won multiple games in the final seconds or overtime, has a winning record on the road, and touts a tight-knit locker room that players deem “special” in terms of their relationships.
There’s a commonly used saying, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I think the more accurate reality is that adversity that requires the development of coping skills, perspective, and personal growth creates resilience which strengthens the ability to handle future challenges.
The Dallas Cowboys have been through the ringer. Failed seasons, coaching staff changes, incredible scrutiny, and injuries on the field; mental health issues, tragic loss, Covid-19, and addiction off the field. When faced with significant challenges, the leaders and stars of the team sought help. Just as they would undergo treatment for a physical injury, players rehabbed their mind and spirit while developing coping skills to help them manage the issues they struggled with.
As we’ve said, mental skills and life skills are often interchangeable and applicable across all domains of life. A team that has gone through incredible adversity off the field, who has embraced the importance of fostering a culture that promotes mental health, who has a stark understanding that athletes are people too, has the 2nd best record in the NFL in large part due to their mental ability to perform under pressure, play confidently, control their emotions, and manage anxiety and pressure throughout the game.
Winning a championship requires staying healthy. Mental health IS health. If the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl, it will be in large part because of the issues they persevered through off the field, and the coping skills they applied to their performance on the field. Regardless of the results, the organization will be able to sleep well at night knowing that the performance of the team will be the maximum they are capable of, which in the end is all anyone can control.
** In remembrance of Jace MacKenzie Prescott, Dak’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation has launched a commemorative clothing line encouraging people to seek help in an effort to fight the stigma of depression and suicide. You can support the cause here:
