Aaron Connolly, a Sunderland footballer, recently made a fantastic gesture and sent a beautiful message to a Black Cats fan on social media. Last night, the communication went viral in Wearside.
Connolly, a former Brighton and Hull City player, was quick to offer support to Black Carts fan @mackemdownsouth after the supporter recently shared some of his mental health issues on social media. Connolly also offered to meet up with the supporter before Saturday’s Championship match against Millwall at The Den.
@mackemdownsouth posted a screenshot of the Sunderland player’s encouraging remarks to Connolly on social media with his consent. As Connolly put it: “Bigman We have Millwall away after the break, and if you aren’t already going, I’ll get you some tickets, meet up with you after, and give you my shirt. I’ll also try to get it signed by all the boys. I hope you’re doing better now. I saw last week that you’re a Sunderland fan, and I can tell from your bio that you’re based down south. Please let me know if you would like to do that. I don’t want this message to come across as condescending or anything; I’ve been there, bro, and I still want to help in any way I can.
In a long and in-depth interview with Sunderland’s social media outlets earlier this summer, Connolly talked candidly about his personal challenges after joining the team. Connolly talked about his career’s ups and downs after his incredible Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur five years ago. He also disclosed that he had spent a month in a treatment clinic.
“You go from the U23s and getting plaudits there and you get shot into the Premier League,” Connolly stated. “I scored a brace against Spurs, which was one of the best days of my life, but it was also one of the worst because the next five years were shaped by that. My phone was blowing up, social media was exploding. I quit working and stopped doing the things I ought to have continued.
“After I began to believe the hype, I didn’t change for the better; I was a tough person who no one could confide in.” To be honest, I had no idea how to handle it. I didn’t think I had someone in charge to keep me in check. The hardest thing to admit at the time was that I wasn’t doing all the things that had put me in that situation, but I always tell my parents that I started living the life of a football player without the football aspect. Looking back and saying it hurts.
“My issues off the pitch received a lot of attention. Following things I had never pursued before that Tottenham goal caused me to lose sight of who I was and why I was playing football. It was clear that I had an alcohol problem. Because there was an alcohol addiction in my family, my parents, who never drank, would always tell me to avoid going out. I got into a lot of difficulty because I didn’t listen. I started depending on it. I used to get my high from playing football, scoring goals, and winning games, but eventually it became more from drinking alcohol.
“I used to eagerly await the conclusion of the games so that I could go out and get wasted.” At the end of July, I made the decision that I couldn’t continue living the way I was because it was too much. My friends and relatives were dying because of it. It was killing me, mostly. Although I had one of my best seasons at Hulll last season, my life was in disarray off the pitch. The manager there took care of me and made an effort to help, but things became too much for me to handle. I spent a month at a therapy clinic after deciding I needed to go there. It was about my life and not the football. Everything was breaking down.
“I feel compelled to discuss this because I wish there had been someone I could talk to, an interview, or a podcast about doing this [visiting a treatment facility].” I hope it may be helpful to others since, despite having everything a young kid could possibly want, I was unable to overcome my addiction. It was both the happiest and worst month of my life, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I gained a lot of knowledge.
“It’s been a whirlwind, I’ve signed for a massive club,” Connolly continued after he joined Sunderland. As I’ve been walking around the city, I’ve noticed folks who have tattoos of the Sunderland crest. Playing for a club this size is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m thankful for the chance.
“I can’t express how wonderful it has been to play football again. I’m overjoyed to be with a football at my feet and surrounded by positive people after a difficult few months. Like the little child who arrived in England, I feel rejuvenated. There is a purpose for me, and I am free of burdens. Getting this team into the Premier League is my goal.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
