Why John Daly Contemplated Suicide in 1997 and How a Former NFL Star Saved His Life

Making their debuts, players hope to make their names with their impressive performances. However, along with impressive performances, some players come in the limelight for their controversial status. Such has been the case with American star, John Daly. Despite being the PGA Championship and the Open Championship winner, Daly has been known for his controversial actions; ones surrounding his personal as well as professional life.

Numerous tour fines, alcohol and gambling addictions, and four failed marriages were the terms that defined Daly during the early 2000s. However, overpowering these, one that took the top spot was him being a player who contemplated suicide…twice. Going back in time, to 2005, he opened up about one of his suicidal contemplation and how he came out of it.

John Daly recalls the time he thought about ending his life

Coming out as a runner up from the 2005 Shell Houston Open, Daly indulged in a conversation with a media house. During the conversation, he walked down memory lane to the year 1997, recalling a sinister memory.

Read More – John Daly Once Spent a Night in Jail Due to a Long Time Bizarre Problem

The year 1997 was clearly not a pleasant one for Daly, on a professional as well as personal front. He lost his contracts with Reebok and Wilson, along with indulging in unpleasant exchanges with his then wife, Paulette Dean. Furthermore, his alcohol addiction forced him to go into rehab for the second time in four years. All the reasons combined rightly led him to the thought of suicide.

Recalling the time, he started by asserting, “I was on that Highway 74, thinking about killing myself.”

Situations like these are often quite sensitive to control. However, words by some people can clearly do the work. In the case of Daly, it was the words of former NFL star, Thomas Henderson.

“I talked to Thomas Henderson,” Daly asserted while progressing the conversation. “He told me, “I can’t tell you I haven’t thought about ending it myself, but think about the most important thing in your life”—which was my kids—”and think about all the fans you’d disappoint if you went ahead and killed yourself. That settled me down.”

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Making a comeback from his struggle, Daly today stands as a proud golfer known for his game. Finishing T24 at the Dicks Sporting Good Open, he is hoping to avenge his loss at the upcoming Ally Challenge.