Ex-NFL player critical of league, teams on mental health: 'Don't tell me they care'

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Minnesota Vikingswide receiverRondale Mooredied yesterdayat 25 years old. The NFL world continues to react to his death as the investigation continues in Floyd County, Indiana.

Current and former NFL players have paid tribute to the former Purdue Boilermakers andArizona Cardinalswideout. Maxx Crosby, Hollywood Brown, JJ Watt and Raheem Mostert were among the many topost to social media in Moore's honor.

One former player shared his insight criticizing the league for its handling of mental health issues in players.

"Imma keep it a stack.. I don't care, I'm retired I'll say what I want,"former defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko wrote on X. "These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts talking about they care about players "don't be afraid to reach out"etc. All they care about is what you bring to the table when it's game day. Most players don't wanna get help inside the building of an NFL organization because they know you'll get looked at differently. You go to a staff member tell em you struggling watch how different they start treating and looking at you. I seen it first hand."

Fehoko went undrafted in 2020 out of LSU but played for five years in the NFL. He spent the 2020 through 2022 seasons with theLos Angeles Chargersbefore a two-year stint with thePittsburgh Steelers.

"I'll start believing they care about player health when the Owner, GM, & head coach treat everyone on that roster the same from the franchise QB to the janitor," he wrote. "Until then don't tell me they care cause they posted some hotline number when (expletive) like this happens."

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Fehoko finished his statement by encouraging players to reach out to him if they're struggling.

"I'm here for any of my brothers that just wanna talk and shoot the (expletive). I love y'all. I care about y'all. I'm here for y'all."

Fehoko similarly spoke out after the death ofDallas Cowboysdefensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland.

Kneeland, 24,died by suicidein Frisco, Texas last November.

"Sometimes as a man especially in the football world we're afraid of being judged or looked at weak,"Fehoko wrote in response on X. "Make it mandatory to have a sit down with guys cause most of em won't take the initiative."

Moore's cause of death remains under investigation at time of publishing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former NFL player critical of teams, league after Rondale Moore death

byLiam Oneel

in

February 22, 2026

Ex-NFL player critical of league, teams on mental health: 'Don't tell me they care'

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is ava...

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US finishes with record 12 gold medals at Milan Cortina Olympics

The United States set a national record with 12 gold medals in this month's Milan Cortina Olympics, two more than the prior Winter Olympics record set during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

The U.S. finished in second place in both gold medals (12) and total medals (33), trailing only Norway (18 golds, 41 total medals). It's the first time the U.S. has finished in sole possession in both gold and total medals since the 1952 Oslo Olympics.

The United States finished off one its record for most total medals won in a Winter Olympics (34, set in 2002).

The historic Games was achieved through a number of American droughts coming to an end.

The U.S. men's hockey team won gold for the first time since 1980, and the U.S. women's hockey team won gold for just the second time since 1998.

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Jordan Stolz, the 21-year-old speed skating phenom, won gold in the 500 and 1,000-meter events in his Olympic debut. He's just the second man to win the 500 and 1,000 in the same Olympics, joining fellow American Eric Heiden.

Alysa Liu became the first American woman to medal in women's figure skating since 2006 -- and the first gold medalist since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The U.S. also narrowly won gold in the team figure skating event for the second straight Games.

Legendary U.S. bobsledder Elana Meyers-Taylor became the oldest Winter Olympian to win an individual gold at 41 when she won her long-awaited first gold medal in women's monobob after previously winning five silver or bronze Olympic medals. She's tied with Bonnie Blair with the most Winter Olympic medals by a U.S. woman (six).

Host Italy finished third in both gold medals (10) and total medals (30). Germany (eight golds, 26 total medals) and Japan (five golds, 24 total medals) round out the top five of the medal table.

--Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

February 22, 2026

US finishes with record 12 gold medals at Milan Cortina Olympics

The United States set a national record with 12 gold medals in this month's Milan Cortina Olympics, two more tha...

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U.S. Hockey Star Dylan Larkin Says Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau ‘Put a Spell Around Our Net’ During Gold Medal Game

Elsa/Getty; Richard T Gagnon/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Team USA hockey player Dylan Larkin said he thinks his late teammate Johnny Gaudreau "somehow" was responsible for "the puck not going in our net" in their gold medal game at the Winter Olympics

• Larkin joked, "which is ironic because it's on the defensive side" and Johnny "would've never been back there"

• Larkin and teammate Zach Werenski brought two of Gaudreau's children, Johnny Jr. and Noa, out onto the ice to celebrate after the win

Hockey starDylan Larkinthinks his late NHL teammate,Johnny Gaudreau,may have cosmically had a hand in Team USA's win in the gold medal game at theWinter Olympics.

After the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in the highly-anticipated match on Sunday, Feb, 22, Larkin, 29, spoke to reporters, including PEOPLE, about how the team has remembered the former star during the Games. Gaudreau,who died in Aug. 2024along with his brother Matthew when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver, was on track to make the Olympic team.

"Johnny and Matty should be here and that is still the biggest loss that all of us at USA hockey, their families, our family, has gone through," Larkin said.

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Acknowledging the hardship that Johnny and Matthew's families have dealt with since the tragedy, which occurred on the eve of their sister's wedding, Larkin said it "just felt right" tobring Johnny's kids, Johnny Jr., 2, and Noa, 3, out to celebratewith the team after they secured the U.S. its first gold medal in hockey since 1980.

"Johnny [is] family first," said Larkin.

Larkin also jokingly suggested that his former teammate may have beensomehowhelping out Team USA as Canadian stars like Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon tried to score the game-winning goal.

"I think part of the puck not going in our net was somehow, that he's standing there doing something," said Larkin, adding that he pictures Johnny "laughing with Matty," as they "just somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn't go in."

Larkin also took the moment to poke fun at his late friend and teammate, calling the idea that Johnny, a forward, was playing defense for the team posthumously "ironic 'cause it's on the defensive side, and he would've never been back there."

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Larkin added that the players of Team USA and the NHL "miss him and love him, and we love his family."

Johnny's wifeMeredithbrought their two children to the gold medal game, alongside the NHL star's parents, Jane and Guy Gaudreau.

After Jack Hughes won the game in overtime for Team USA, Guy, 68, was seen crying in the arena.

Jamie Squire/Getty

In a statement ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Gaudreau family said representing Team USA in the Olympics was one of Johnny's "greatest dreams" and revealed that he had been "training harder than ever" the summer of his tragic death.

"He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster," they wrote. "While it breaks our hearts that John won't be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games."

They continued: "Though the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there. Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride."

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come topeople.comto check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

February 22, 2026

U.S. Hockey Star Dylan Larkin Says Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau ‘Put a Spell Around Our Net’ During Gold Medal Game

Elsa/Getty; Richard T Gagnon/Getty NEED TO KNOW Team USA hockey player Dylan Larkin said he thinks his late...

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