He just passed today, and I remember pulling for him to crush the habit. If you're struggling with substance abuse, seek counsel. You've got my admiration while doing so, and it isn't too late to make a difference. You're in a better place, Keith.

"They turned me into a fking monster on the field...and you take that monster home with you." Mr. McCants, I want you to know that combat veterans like me share your pain.

@eddcain

5 жыл бұрын

Brother I just said that to my lady before I saw your post. In med hold I saw the guys becoming junkies and felt myself going that way. I made myself stop taking all those drugs. I didn’t know what most of that stuff did or would do to me as long as I wasn’t hurting so bad. Now we have to fight for percentages and they still try to pimp us drugs and brush us off!

@y2jtopgun

5 жыл бұрын

Me too Brother.. I live with this shit everyday... we join very young and do our duty, then we come home to no help. It’s sick

@jboggan123able

5 жыл бұрын

Ain't that the truth brother!!!

@aaronsmith1676

5 жыл бұрын

Its parallel in every way especially when he says they cheered him on the field. Americans love to cheer and "support the troops" but then they don't vote for people or hold politicians accountable to actually help veterans. Its a travesty.

@philosophy20

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service man...✊🏽

Damn. One of the saddest video I have ever watch. Stay positive, brother. God bless.

@kingcelius87

8 жыл бұрын

+LeBeautiful nfl won't have the lvl of success like it is having now again. on a side note, i love the name and the photo lmaoo

@LeBeautiful_RealOne

8 жыл бұрын

kingcelius87 I disagree. Americans don't really give a damn about things like these. Specially in a league where most players are colored people. They will keep watching.

@kingcelius87

8 жыл бұрын

well i think that the parents who played or know friends who played see how it left them, and they'll make sure the kids play another sport. in turn that will affect the nfl

@LeBeautiful_RealOne

8 жыл бұрын

kingcelius87 That is true but people who really play and are really into the sport are African Americans that are being oppressed with no way out. They will find the next pipeline.

@kingcelius87

8 жыл бұрын

yeah they come from hard backgrounds where making that level of money and that quickly pretty much never happens. it to this day shows the desperation of the black athletes the ones who had a full career retired and all. they say they'd do it again despite the evidence of trauma. smh its crazy and sad

I don't think I've seen a more impactful video in all my time on KZread, what an unbelievably sad story.

@darkSide11011

6 жыл бұрын

Meowsli f ur nfl

@forbesferrari1157

5 жыл бұрын

I don't think I can continue to watch football

@AfrikanLifestyle

5 жыл бұрын

Wow, this is so disturbing..Just think of how many more stories like his are out there..I couldn't believe it when Junior Seau committed suicide now I understand why..

@SincerelySagacious

2 жыл бұрын

& he was just found dead 53 years old. RIP

@talkintennis8124

Жыл бұрын

"They" don't give a fuck about any of us.

RIP Keith McCants. A sad ending to a sad story. A cautionary tale for the ages.

and the so called "fans" boo Andrew Luck for leaving.

@kd502

4 жыл бұрын

maritimezhang I was just thinking that.....

@TheSosKille12

4 жыл бұрын

Is because human beings are still fucking barbaric just like in the gladiator era

@FAHQU2

4 жыл бұрын

This man will be in EXCRUCIATING pain when he's 40, and people still boo him for trying to salvage what's left of his health? Fucking animals.

@fraz72

3 жыл бұрын

Ikr

@jessavila4649

3 жыл бұрын

@@FAHQU2 wasn't he pissing blood from a lacerated kidney

I had a defensive coordinator in my senior year of high school who played at our local university and spent some time in the NFL. He was a great man, still new to coaching, but he had an undeniable love for the game and shared that with us. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, we began to see the toll football took on his body. In his mid-30’s, this man would forget the people around him, his own players and fellow coaches. There would be times when he would be coaching us in practice and in the middle of an explanation he would forget where he’s at and what he was doing. The saddest part of all of this was that he would become terrified when this would occur to him, sometimes he would break down on the field, and watching happen every time was more and more gut wrenching, because despite even being completely confused in those moments, he was aware of what had taken place, and there’s nothing he could do to keep it from happeneing. Never got angry, never got violent, it was always an emotional experience for him. It was my dream to play professionally one day, and this experience made me step away from the game altogether.

If this doesn't break your heart you have no soul.

@imafatbastard6193

4 жыл бұрын

@@ladyj6278 thank you just watched the video and thought the same." I took 183 pills a weak and didnt understand the effect it had on me" . What a moron

@Didnt_ask69

4 жыл бұрын

Lady J or.....maybe he was playing a sport he had passion for and somehow made it to the nfl....nobody plays the game for money they play because it’s their life. Dumbass trick

@cumcompilationv46trynottoc83

4 жыл бұрын

@@Didnt_ask69 her point is that he was aware of what he was doing

@golf_clap_

4 жыл бұрын

jon Q I have no sol

@tinman6076

4 жыл бұрын

Keep in mind his career was during the 90’s, and they didn’t have the internet to easily look up drug side effects. He was being advised by doctors with fancy credentials, and was in his early 20’s so, he was naive enough to trust the NFL. Have some compassion, he didn’t deserve this.

It’s even more sad to watch this now that he’s gone. There’s so much foreshadowing in this interview. He was in so much pain due to football but at least he isn’t suffering anymore. RIP Keith Mccants

Sad, the world forgets about these guys as soon as they're doing playing. Not only that but judge them the moment they end up in trouble. Some people will never understand and thats ok, but don't be an imbecile and judge someone if you never walked a mile in their shoes.

@johndef5075

5 жыл бұрын

Alot get divorced too.

Damn... It makes me feel guilty for being a fan, I don't think I can watch it anymore after watching this.

@Tarantula1522

6 жыл бұрын

David Lemieux Dont get it twisted. This guy didn’t give a shit about the fans when he was spending $20,000 a night at strip clubs and having three girlfriends at a time

@yasmanibravo2948

5 жыл бұрын

@@Tarantula1522 you want to mask the pain! He just told you that in college he was hurt. He was trying to follow his dream

@tropicmix8765

5 жыл бұрын

@Baron Samedi what he said has nothing to fucking do with race, people like you swear you want racism to go away but bring up the damn race card every chance you get. I do feel sorry for this guy in the video though, the NFL neglects injuries 100 percent.

@reyrobertson16

5 жыл бұрын

This is why I love the nba and mlb

@daviddenmark3580

5 жыл бұрын

Baron Samedi agreed bro.

He probably has CTE.

@Forgemno

5 жыл бұрын

Probably????

@johnjames9728

5 жыл бұрын

Patrick Holmes He has CTE*

@hoagie7859

5 жыл бұрын

Drugs/Painkiller abuse will also damage your brain, bro.

@nathanwebber8556

4 жыл бұрын

💯 , NFL pay up u mofos u use these guys week in week out & then discard them at ur discretion Its absolutely shameful now take care of ur responsibilities & look after these Warriors.

@mickfunny4185

4 жыл бұрын

mr fantastic sir let’s see your license, registration, and Roget’s thesaurus👮‍♀️👮‍♀️🚓🚓🚨🚨🚨

OK, I was NOT ready for this video just now.... Stay strong, Keith. Stay strong.

These stories are crushing.

Man just died from an OD , came back to this video to remind myself of his story… so sad RIP kieth 🙏🏼

Rest in Peace Mr. McCants...so sorry to hear about your story

Rip Keith, I remember watching this video years ago hoping you were okay and fought those demons. Rest easy king

Holy crap...those tears are HEAVY.

This sounds like the PTSD our veterans suffer 💔 my heart goes out to him and everyone suffering like this . Profit should not equal pain.

On 30 for 30 “Broke” I knew McCants was high on something then but he seems to be more coherent in this interview, glad to see him in recovery mode.

@rcalphonse2701

4 жыл бұрын

Daniel Booker takes a little while to discard that slave mentally after being on that Tampa Bay Plantation/NFL for so long...

R.I.P. dang he’s laying it out how it all happens and you can tell this is an intelligent guy. Definitely a good cautionary tale.

The nfl doesn’t care about their players health it’s all about money in their pockets for them period.

It doesn't matter if they "knew what they were getting themselves into" when they play the sport. This does not excuse the NFL's sheer callousness.

@steventhacker5816

8 жыл бұрын

it does matter that they knew, NFL aside, u take the risk, then u roll the dice. Noones responsible for other ppls actions. noone made me break the law, i did it cuz i wanted too, then i paid for it w/ my life. Society today blames everyone else lol. if he had a 3.8 GPA (which was prolly gifted to him because he was an athlete) then he knew what he was gtn into. But u are right bout the nfl, they dont care about the ppl/ only the brand

@joshuariston2924

5 жыл бұрын

Anthony Serocco agreed

@numa2k147

5 жыл бұрын

@@steventhacker5816 But do you think these giys coming in the NFL as kids knew what was happening ? I love it how you make this about you bruh we don't give a fuck who you are. You ain't go through what he did and I'm sure you ain't had life hard as him. God knows how you would have coped. If only you could.

@michaelschaefer1904

2 жыл бұрын

The NFL has monopoly protection and was a nonprofit for most of its existence. SICK!

Keep your head up Keith GOD Got "YOU",Keep telling your story cause is gonna help somebody who feels there is no help for them, GOD BLESS YOU, Your Classmate & Friend Spencer Henry

@musicguru6587

9 жыл бұрын

I don't know you Keith but God bless brother. I am sorry this happened to you, I hope and pray that this changes in the sport I love. Maybe guaranteed contracts would help so players don't have to feel the pressure to play when they cant go. Oh and for those who say "what about the cap, and the ramifications?" I am sure with all the money the league makes they can place a rule in that if you are no longer able to play and it is not a PUP injury, you can sign a deal for a percentage of the money provided you don't play again. It is a ridiculous argument that the league that makes the most money can not afford this type of provision.

@Nick-ky5yn

8 жыл бұрын

+SPENCER HENRY i really hope he saw your comment

@JuicesJoint

6 жыл бұрын

I never played sports, but I grew up with medical issues and needed many surgeries and hospital stays, as a result I got hooked on prescription painkillers, and did almost anything I could to get more. I never stole anything or robbed anyone, but I did change a script to get more medication than I was supposed Too. Thankfully I met my now wife of going on 15 years, and got myself clean & sober, and have been that way going on 15 years. I still have days where i struggle. God bless you Keith McCants. Q

Wow 3.8 gpa so sad he could've had a great future with out all that pain and suffering

@Thatsdantoyousir5

5 жыл бұрын

Fax

@jumpman366

5 жыл бұрын

tksk8ter1 Gpa doesn’t mean shit dude lol its experience

@MrBjorn6

4 жыл бұрын

@@jumpman366 3.8 means he had good study habits and pretty good iq.

@FecalMatador

4 жыл бұрын

Rommer Villalba not when you’re a football player at Bama. He got As in basket weaving

@johnwitherspoon105

3 жыл бұрын

You get a 3.8 at Alabama by putting your name on the paperwork.

Rest in peace good sir. I pray you found peace.

Really sad to see all these privileged commenters spewing how the same thing wouldn't have happened to them. I'm glad everyone here "knew better", had the parents, teachers, and coaches that looked after them and taught them so that when they were finally on their own they knew how to handle their finances and their bodies. Unfortunately a lot of people aren't so fortunate. But hey! why be sympathetic or view the issue as a complex narrative when you can just cast stones...right? Sorry you had to go through this Keith, hopefully your story can help educate young players and bring change in how leagues protect their players. I've met a lot of ex NLF players in my life and shook a lot of their hands. I could tell just by shaking their hands just how poor their fine motor skills had become from head injuries etc.

@humzahhassan4521

5 жыл бұрын

Daniel E these drugs probably contributed to their brains demise not just the contact on the field

@johndef5075

5 жыл бұрын

Amen. Nice to see someone who gets it.

@FirstLast-rd6hw

4 жыл бұрын

Daniel E bad choices never deserves sympathy. The weak souled individuals like yourself are the biggest problem in the world today. Don’t be a coward, it causes other cowards to sympathize for your children and their bleak future that you are setting them up for.

@gdirty7380

4 жыл бұрын

@@FirstLast-rd6hw weak souled? what do you do for a living? and what would you do to make that living? would you work 70 hours a week? would you maybe miss a family party? if you knew that the only way your family would eat, was if you worked when maybe you shouldnt, would you? and if the only way you could work, was to take something a dr told you to, would you? i work skilled physical labor...i work with injuries that i should probably get checked out. but that would mean missing work. i dont take drugs to get me through the day..but i dont make millions of dollars either. if i did, id do anything to get to work. maybe youre weak souled for not understanding the struggle. who are you to judge what is a bad choice? its only a bad choice if the person making it regrets it. and thats not up to you to decide

@FirstLast-rd6hw

4 жыл бұрын

@Gdirty7 that mentality is exactly why this country is going to shit. You have to be a Bernie fan, probably believe in the participation trophy nonsense. You’re making excuses on behalf of someone elses bad decision making. Not that it matters because it really doesn’t matter on the type of work but owning a business working 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week I have missed family events but I guarantee I’m not going to look back in 20 years and blame someone else for it. That’s a cowardly act.

The crazy part is that another LB came into the league the same year as McCants: Junior Seau.

Keith, you are strong and you are loved. I've dealt with addiction since I was in the military. Hurt? Take this. You sore? Take that. I've been clean and sober for 13 years now. But it's still hard every single day. But it's worth it.

Spoken from the heart.

Whos here after his unfortunate passing? 😞

Absolutely heartbreaking!

@yolojones1856

8 жыл бұрын

You are so pretty ^-^

@floop74

8 жыл бұрын

@yolo: Dude, go outside

@pisse3000

7 жыл бұрын

Yolo jones You're the type of person who cat calls someone at a funeral... Jesus christ, dude have some fucking respect.

Yeah, my son is a combat veteran. Like he says "a trained killer." At 19 years old. Then they send you home - if you make it - and think youre gonna be fine. Um....no. Keith McCants story is similar. I feel his pain. Seems to be doing better now. God bless you sir.

God bless this man

Jesus christ we have a couple people commenting on here that have absolutely no empathy. Makes me sick. That being said, what an interview. The look in Keith's eyes at the end had me tearing up, you can see the pain and regret written all over his face.

This hurts me to watch...

I can relate. My coach ruined my whole physical well being.

Great job VICE sports! Love seing and hearing stuff we'll probably never see on TV.

Wow he spoke this. RIP soldier you gave all you could

Reminds me of the treatment and care of those other warriors. Veterans.

Keith McCants your message is powerful sir,your speaking for behalf of the players who cant voice there opinion for x amount of reasons that you stated.GOD BLESS ! P.S great job VICE for giving these players a platform.

"They turn you into a monster on the field and then you take it home with you." Doesn't this sound like Antonio Brown????

@richym3899

3 жыл бұрын

Antonio is too young

what a well spoken man. For having been through so much I am so happy he is deciding to keep going. It gives me hope and strength

My heart goes to you brother! I was addicted for 15 years, by the grace of god allowing me to find myself I have been clean 11 years. You are loved, stay strong.

I'm so saddened by today's news of McCants. RIP Keith McCants 1968-2021

How is becoming a football player a dream for someone? I would love to see nfl/college coaches reaction to this. Please vice make it happen.

@CronoXpono

6 жыл бұрын

MrGreen1day they don’t give a shit. I don’t mean that sarcastically or even as a pessimist. They just don’t care. The NFL is such a greed driven league, always depending on athletes fear of being cut or abandoned. Goddamn man. :,(

@romancultist6089

6 жыл бұрын

Why do men charge into machine gun fire?

Just heartbreaking. He certainly sounds like he was in the stages of CTE. It’s criminal what the NFL have done too so many life’s..as we all cheered not knowing..

this video goes from informative to touching super quick...right in the feels man.

So this is why the athletes in the NFL are getting into more trouble and fighting than other sports. If the best athletes in the country cannot physically handle Football then the sport is too strenuous and difficult.

@TheMeathead62

9 жыл бұрын

Kollin011 I do agree with you in part because one of the reasons this happens is because football players, except, quarterbacks cant play for a long time because they get too old. That lead sinto youre point. Then they try to squeeze as much as they can out of while youre still there

@Kollin011

9 жыл бұрын

TheMeathead62 That is a problem as well. Always someone younger who is after you're position.

@carlesmauricio2909

7 жыл бұрын

Kollin011

@3101max

6 жыл бұрын

one other big problem is the non guaranteed contracts them young niggas get payed to play and wont get nothin when they injured so thats why they take all that shit

@chrisellersagangsta

6 жыл бұрын

They just need to take injuries more seriously that's what back ups are for and they pump these guys up with stuff rather then let the injuries heal naturally winning isn't more important than these guys health

Hold on Keith. After every dark night, there comes a brighter day...

@kalmykdude

9 жыл бұрын

Once the damage is done it doesn't get better.

@NicoleKe

4 жыл бұрын

Not necessary. Sometimes after a very dark night there’s a dark and gloomy day because is it’s raining out. Then what?

This was definitely real emotion being expressed in the video, a former NFL great literally in tears from just talking about how in most situations he was in after leaving the league, suicide would be better than continuing to suffer and unintentionally hurt his family and loved ones. That’s a real man right there, real men feel emotions that bring them to tears and finally come to the point where they don’t care who sees them cry. He had to go through those hard times in order to become who he is now and having the drive to deliver the message. The NFL, prior to the medical advances we have today that allow doctors to diagnose head injuries via brain scans, etc. as well as the rise of brands of drugs such as OxyContin from Perdue Pharmaceuticals that are so strong they allow players who fear losing their spot on their team so much they will take whatever the “Team Docs” will give them so they can still play even if it will cause much more damage in the long term, was I believe a league that seemed like they cared about the health and well-being of their athletes. As athletes have become more like a commodity than a human and teams are now ran in ways similar to multinational companies who want to cut cost as much as possible, even if it means completely severing all ties with a player the moment that they are no longer an asset but an increasingly costly liability. The commercialization of pro sports has played a huge role in this culture within the league. I hope you are able to find some kind of normalcy to your life again because the public needs to know what the 3hrs of football they watch on Sunday does to those who are risking their lives to play it.

😢 wow. This hits so hard. This vid is 7/8 years old and I know hes since past on. His message is still connecting with people. His message is still helping people understand themselves and change the minds to everyone affected. Whether we are addicts or the people around thee suffering. Good on him. Spread the wisdom, spread the love. ✌ I wish everyone well✌

This is real shit that we dont see or hear about in the nfl ! Thank you keith for making us aware of the evils behind close doors in the league. God has your back and keep fighting you only get one life

@jonrosso1502

6 жыл бұрын

I can t live on dus 1100 month somebody call me 804 9263643

Wow. Im reading the comments and i am disappointed. Most of you mouth breathing neck beards that look down on his dream have no Goddamn dream at all and it pisses you off. Smh

This right here has made me an instant supporter may God Bless You Mccants

Keith stay strong buds I came to tears watching this If your out there man we are up here in Canada thinking about you

truly touching godbless mccants

"and they love that..." quote of the movie

My goodness... I have seen so much crap in the world but this spoke to me on pain and spoke directly to what I've gone through and I never played ball... I feel for him cause I see myself in him. You can tell he's still struggling too but this is brave to be sharing such personal struggles.

I hope the NFL is doing something for former players like Mr. Maccants and others like him ... Sad story

Most powerful video I have seen in a long time.

damn....that got real at the end :I

My heart goes out to Keith it’s really put a new outlook on life to me of an NFL player. It’s like if you don’t play at a high level you want make that money. I am grateful to be just able to get around without major pain for all my sports years. I have dealt with my own pain but not to his level. Pray he’s feeling better and being in a better situation today in 2019.🙏💯

Powerful...thank you for sharing

I love football and have all my life both playing and watching but damn this makes me feel guilty for rooting them on Sunday's

Never been a big football fan, but I enjoyed watching it on occasion. After seeing videos like these, I have no desire to watch again.

mad respet & love for mr McCants thank you

RIP Mr. McCants. Thank You for the memories!

these men are the nothing less than the gladiators of our era. They're bodies are the vehicle and the impediment for their pursuit and passion for the game and their team. They need help. They shouldn't have to put up with this

Money can't save your soul.

9yrs &this still hurts

This is extremely heart breaking

And we fans think it's so glorious to be an NFL player. This is reality.

No athlete in 2019 should be trusting team doctors after all weve seen.

@BBAKER22

4 жыл бұрын

BULLSHIT. Just kikk yourself

@jessavila4649

2 жыл бұрын

Or doctors in 2021 in general

Thank you for your story.

McCants was a beast, first-team all-American linebacker at Alabama and drafted fourth overall in 1990 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers At one time the N.F.L.'s highest-paid defensive player, he was an animal!!!! But he left the league after six seasons and fell into a spiral of addiction, homelessness and desolation. He passed away on Sept 2, 2021 of an drug overdose Rest Easy big bro

I have no interest in the NFL but I completely support the statement that these guys are trying to make with these videos. Sure you could argue that they had the power to walk away... but the thing is that for many of them, this was their passion. This was their dream job. And when you are told that if you don't fight through the pain you're not worthy enough to have your dream job... then naturally you will do what it takes to keep going. It's a very physiological game they are playing. The NFL obviously doesn't give a damn about the health of these people, they just want them to perform and they will squeeze as much out of them as possible until they are no longer needed. The main issue here though is that these players TRUST their doctors. But these "medical professionals" are doing nothing but getting paid to keep these machines running, regardless of the long term harm it may cause, and the players are not informed of those risks. Sure they could have walked away, but when your boss knows how to manipulate you are you really in a clear state of mind?

Way more than 240k people need to see this video. It's no secret what the nfl does and how wrong it is but I don't think people fully understand what these players really go through.

Fly High Keith.🙏🏾🕊

That was so powerful🥺 thankyou vice

Tried to OD? God damn. Made me remember my reaction when I heard about Leaf's troubles (quaintly): c'mon man! Good on Vice for delving into this. Imagine if they pushed this in between games on Sunday's... Record collapse of a "nonprofit" giant,

This is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve seen. I’m starting to like the NBA more and the NFL less.

God bless you Kieth.... very touching story to my heart.. wow... hurts to watch this...

We need to share this more

Thank you Keith. Working to stop supporting the NFL

Thank God I did not have enough talent to make it to the NFL.

This is absolutely heart breaking...

That was a tear jerker.

I chose to live

Unfortunatly this wont change...Too much money to be lost if athletes arent on the field... NFLPA needs to get Doctors/Medical advisors to each NFL team and determine if a player is fit to return... Sure these guys make millions but its a job like everyone else has....If you cant do what we need..we can pay someone else to do what you do.

@stevejohnson978

8 жыл бұрын

+gamemaniac85 Yep, and everybody don't make millions. Matter of fact, a majority of players make just over a million/year, and after cost/taxes and the like, you're looking at 650K - 800K. Most of us only make that money for a couple years, and then that job is over.

Preciate it dawg, I had thoughts of reviving my football career but you & others testimony changed my mind. I’ve had my experience wit pain from the game, drugs for the pain , & coaches pushing it off

It's the eyes man. You can feel the pain.

And now he's gone. Sad.

It’s sad because he just OD’d today

Thank you for sharing that with us Keith, you are a man of amazing strength and courage!!!

God bless you. I hope that everything gets better for you and your family

Prescription pain killers ruin people's lives.

☺☺ Honest Talk The hard boot of business has no heart. (Learn it)....(remember it)

My heart breaks to hear his message. Stay strong.

Thank you for this Keith. God bless.