By Promise Lloyd
In Division I college football, players are often seen as modern-day gladiators-enduring relentless physical demands, navigating the pressure of intense competition, and striving for excellence on and off the field. Mental toughness is a crucial component preached in every drill and play, but what happens off the field when the helmets come off? How do athletes manage their mental health with the demands of being a D1 athlete and student?
Hiya recently caught up with a few players of the Nebraska Huskers to explore their thoughts on mental health and the importance of nurturing it beyond the football field.
Jaylen Lloyd, a rising star from Omaha, Nebraska, is entering his sophomore year as a wide receiver for the Huskers. Known for his speed and versatility, Lloyd competes on the university’s track and field team, specializing in long and triple jump.
Reflecting on the importance of mental health, Lloyd shared, “Mental health is important to me as an athlete because we go through a lot of things a normal person wouldn’t go through, especially being at the D1 level. It takes up a lot of our time for the day, so it’s just important to take time by getting into hobbies you like to do or just resting, meditating, and protecting your mental health.”
For Lloyd, mental health is about ensuring an equal balance of his responsibilities on the field, in the classroom, and his personal life. The demands on his life are vast, and finding moments for self-care is crucial. Whether through hobbies, resting, or meditation, Lloyd emphasizes the necessity of carving time to recharge, which helps him stay focused and perform at his best.
Transitioning from wide receiver to the defensive side of the ball, John Bullock is a senior linebacker also from Omaha. Known for his toughness and leadership, Bullock’s journey through the Husker program is marked by growth and adaptability.
Initially playing as nickel back, he transitioned to linebacker in his junior year, where he became a key playmaker for Nebraska.
“What I do to help my mental health is I’ll meditate sometimes at night and kind of just reflect on my day–on what went good and what went bad, kind of things I need to work on and things I do well in,” Bullock shared.
Bullock’s approach to mental health is organized and reflective. He creates a space to assess his daily performance on and off the field. Acknowledging the negatives and positives allows him to identify areas needing improvement, celebrate successes, and reinforce a growth mindset essential for athletic and personal development. This mental resilience and discipline has translated onto the field, as proven by his career-high of 50 tackles last season.
Teddy Prochazka, an offensive lineman from Elkhorn, Nebraska, has been crucial to Nebraska’s success in the Big Ten. In his junior year, he helped the Huskers achieve the second-best rushing offense in the conference, even while returning from a prior injury.
Prochazka emphasizes the role of mental skills training in his weekly preparation, saying, “It helps me focus and prepare each week and then trust my ability on the football field. Every Wednesday, we have mental skills training that helps us put our attention into focusing, imagery, and manifesting what we know we can do.”
The training sessions that Prochazka describes are built to help athletes sharpen their focus, visualize success, and gain the confidence to trust their abilities on the field.
As the Nebraska Huskers continue their journey in Division I football, the emphasis on mental health remains crucial in their success, both on and off the field. While often seen as invincible, these athletes recognize the importance of mental well-being and the need for self-care, reflection, and cognitive skills training.
Their testimonies are a reminder that mental health is vital in all aspects of life and that prioritizing it is essential for long-term success in any area.
In the days leading up to this piece, news broke that Teddy Prochazka suffered an ACL tear and will be sidelined for the upcoming football season. The Hiya community extends its support to Prochazka during this challenging time. We stand with Teddy, sending love and positive thoughts his way as he embarks on the road to recovery.