UNC football player goes public about his battle with depression

Posted Jun 17, 2019
June 7 is a day UNC defensive end Jake Lawler won't ever forget. It's the day he went public with his years-long battle with depression, posting a deeply personal essay about his struggles since middle school. By letting the world know of his hurt, he's hoping to help others walking the same tightrope. "I wrote it for people like me. I wanted to reach out." (ABC 11)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

How Christo Kelly Became Bill Belichick's First UNC Football Commitment
Not all transfer portal recruitment stories are cut from the same cloth. While many players crisscross the country on official visits, searching for the right...
Tue Jul 21, 2026

Jordan Shipp Nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
UNC wide receiver Jordan Shipp has been nominated for the 2026 Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, the organization announced Monday...
Tue Jul 21, 2026

UNC Football players laud Bill Belichick's 'humility,' won't count on outside support
UNC wide receiver Jordan Shipp said he takes criticism against Bill Belichick personally. He hasn’t bothered to find out why some people dislike the former...
Tue Jul 21, 2026

Bill Belichick says UNC Football's biggest offseason win is its new culture
Bill Belichick says UNC Football's biggest offseason win is in how the Tar Heels work. A year into his college experiment, Belichick said the 2026...
Tue Jul 21, 2026