Bears CB Jaylon Johnson opens up about going to therapy last season for sexual addiction

Players in the NFL always have a ton of media attention around everything they do. And when every move of yours is well documented, it is hard to open up about the troubles in one’s life. Over time, the players’ emotional well-being has gained importance and has become the subject of attention, but it still has a long way to go.

Take Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, for example. Arguably one of the best cornerbacks of the current generation, Johnson has garnered an excellent reputation within sporting circles. However, the 24-year-old recently revealed that he had been keeping a secret from the media for almost a year.

Jaylon Johnson discusses personal demons

In a recent press conference announcing his contract extension with the Chicago Bears outfit, Jaylon Johnson talked about his battles with sexual addiction and how he had to seek therapy to get rid of the issue ultimately.

He said, “It’s bigger than me. 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.'”

Johnson continued, “Like man, we are human too. 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.”

Jaylon Johnson thanks family, friends for support

After opening up about his ordeal, the conversation with the press veered towards how much support Johnson received from his friends and family. As it turns out, the NFL All-Pro was elated about the love and care he received from them and waxed lyrical about the people in his entourage.

According to the Chicago Bears, Jaylon said, “I want to thank my family for pushing me since I was a little boy to be the best man and best player I can be. My parents sacrificed more than a lot to make sure I had everything I needed.

“My dad always taught me about how powerful the mind is,” he continued. “He taught me self-motivation. He taught me how to get my mind right to perform, and I’ve done that since I was a little boy. My mom showed me what strong faith looks like. Even when I didn’t want to hear it, she tells me what the godly thing to do or to say is. She has been a big influence on my relationship with God.”

What are your thoughts on the recent revelation made by Jaylon Johnson about his fight with sexual addiction? Let us know in the comments below.