Jaylon Johnson of the NFL Opens Up About Seeking Therapy for Sex Addiction: Embracing Imperfection
During Monday's press conference announcing his four-year, $76 million contract with the Chicago Bears, cornerback Jaylon Johnson revealed that he sought therapy for sex addiction last season.
"It's bigger than me," Johnson emphasized. "For one, it's because I know I'm not the only one going through it. Two, it's OK to go through stuff. It's OK to not be perfect, and I feel like people put us literally on this pedestal to get up here and talk and [think], 'Oh well, guys are this, guys are that.'"
"We are human too," he continued. "We go through things. Everybody goes through things. I feel like people feel like you've got to put a mask on, you've got to cover it up. Like naw, it's OK to go through things. It's OK to seek help. It's OK to be vulnerable."
Despite grappling with personal challenges, the 24-year-old athlete had a stellar performance in 2023, intercepting four passes and notching 10 breakups, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.
Reflecting on his journey, Johnson shared, "Working through my addiction was harder than anything, but therapy aided in my professional success. It didn't affect me, really, at all. If anything, it boosted me up into being who I needed to be."
"In that place of vulnerability, I had a breakthrough with myself and I had a breakthrough on the football field," he added. "I wouldn't say it affected me. If anything, it boosted me to be who I know I am."
While the press conference marked a celebratory moment with his significant contract, Johnson used his platform to convey a broader message beyond his financial achievement.
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12 MARS | 98 ANSWERS Jaylon Johnson of the NFL Opens Up About Seeking Therapy for Sex Addiction: Embracing Imperfection Is Jaylon Johnson the best CB in the NFL? | ||
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