Former Arizona QB steps away from football, cites mental health
Former Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins announced on Wednesday he is taking a break from football, citing deteriorating mental health.
To Whom This May Concern:
Football has been a life changer for me. It has introduced me to friends who have become family. It has given me a platform to be in people’s life, and I have… https://t.co/Cop8F4Vdfc
— Brandon Dawkins (@BDawks) August 30, 2018
Dawkins started two seasons in Tucson before an injury in 2017 opened the door for sophomore Khalil Tate to permanently take over the starting job. Dawkins’ last game at Arizona was the 2017 Territorial Cup after Tate left with an injury.
He transferred to Indiana University shortly after and was expected to compete for the starting job in Bloomington. Sophomore Peyton Ramsey earned the starting job though and the graduate transfer left the program on Monday.
“I am not too proud to admit that I needed help. I am grateful for the sports psychology team at both Arizona and Indiana for helping me at some of the lowest points in my life,” Dawkins wrote in an Instagram post. “As my mental health is deteriorating I have decided to take a break from the game. I know now that I need to take care of ME. I need to make myself important. I have not properly taken care of myself.”
Dawkins ended the note requesting privacy, but made no mention when — or if — he would return to football.
“Do I know what’s next? Of course not, but I do know God has a plan that is way bigger than any plans I could ever imagine for myself,” Dawkins wrote.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Dan Wetzel: Twitter meltdown means Ohio State headaches not over
• Charles Robinson: Ex-NFL star’s remarkable tale of redemption
• Browns linebacker charged with insider trading
• Kevin Iole: Hand-wrapping controversy hangs over Canelo-GGG rematch
