April 13th will forever go down as the darkest chapter the football realm had ever witnessed. When a family member of former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy confirmed that the 24-year-old had taken his life, it wasn’t just heartbreaking news. Lacy’s sudden demise shows how mental health struggles need to be treated with more urgency. Even off the field, players go through a lot. Some are able to bear the pain while others succumb to it. A former teammate of Lamar Jackson has also found himself struggling to cope with his mental health because of how his career has suddenly fallen off.

Deadrin Senat was a top nose tackle prospect coming out of South Florida. Having spent 5 years with the Bulls, winning two All-ACC honors and also an invitation to the 2018 East-West Shrine Bowl. After impressing scouts with his strong arms and quick legs coming off the defensive line, Senat improved his draft stock. However, a sudden knee injury restricted Senat from appearing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He also refused an invitation to the Senior Bowl that year—again because of injuries.

This led to his draft stock taking a hit. Just before the draft came around, Senat was projected only the ninth best nose tackle. Once the draft arrived, the Falcons signed him to a 4-year, $3.42M contract. But Senat’s Falcons tenure only lasted two seasons and 20 games. After his release from Atlanta, the Bucs took a chance on him. Still, Senat couldn’t nail down a starting spot. Revolving between the practice squads and active roster, Senat only played 15 games in two seasons. Then came the Ravens in 2024, a third chance for Senat to finally prove his worth.

But his Ravens tenure only lasted 3 months before he was released last year. Still, a free agent with no franchise taking an interest. Senat decided to open up about his mental struggles. On Sunday, Senat shared an Instagram story where he wrote, “Have mercy on me. If I say I got it all together just know I’m lying.” The 30-year-old also added a broken heart emoji to further emphasize his struggles off the gridiron.

Senat could be going through a lot, considering his NFL career has come to a halt. But at least he decided to come forward with his mental health struggles. This shows he still dares to possibly turn this tough time around. Still only 30, Senat has a lot ahead of time. After Lacy’s loss, Senat’s message to us shows Dak Prescott’s plea is working.

Ask 4 Help: Dak Prescott sends an urgent plea after Kyren Lacy’s incident

Ever since Prescott lost his brother Jace to suicide, he has been at the forefront of mental health awareness. So, when the news of Lacy’s demise hit the football community, old wounds reopened as he wrote on his Instagram story, “Please! Ask 4 Help. It doesn’t have to end that way! It takes all of us!” Prescott has actively run the Ask 4 Help campaign since 2021. Here, the 4 represents the jersey number he wears in the NFL. You can often find Prescott rocking a wrist tape with Ask 4 Help written on it.

It serves as a reminder to those battling with mental illness that they are not alone. All you need to do is reach out; someone will surely help you tackle your pain. And Prescott isn’t the only mental health advocate out there. Texans WR Tank Dell also sent a strong message after Lacy’s suicide: “S*it crazy. Praying for the fam. That mental health be real—check on yo people,” Dell wrote on his Instagram story. As a fellow receiver, Dell also knows all too well how depressing mental health can be.

Having survived a mass shooting this offseason, Tank has continued to voice his awareness through the “My Cause My Cleats” campaign. As for Lacy, his loss will forever leave a huge hole in everyone’s heart. Someone with so much potential taken away days before the NFL draft. What could have been a beautiful NFL chapter ended before it even began.