Former Saints Offensive Tackle Kyle Turley Admits He Is Suicidal

Why is former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman and fan favorite Kyle Turley considering suicide?

According to U-T San Diego, Turley was on the verge of suicide while parked in a Nashville parking lot. A phone call he made saved his life. As a Father of two (4-year old son, 2-year old daughter) young children, Turley must take medication everyday to to help control the suicidal thoughts that creep into his brain.

Why is he suffering from the thoughts? Predictably, it's due to the head trauma he suffered while playing in the NFL for nearly a decade. Noted for his "crazy" play on the field, Turley became a fan favorite while playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1998-2002.

After the suicidal death of NFL great Junior Seau a year ago tomorrow, the NFL launched a 24-hour confidential support service to retired players. Turley admitted to U-T San Diego that he called the number as a matter of life and death. He pulled into that Nashville parking lot when he got an "impulse."

“It was imperative that I did,” Turley said. “I don't know how to explain it. It's just a moment where you're lost. You're completely gone. You don't understand the things that you're doing, you're pissed at yourself because you're doing the things that you're doing, and you have little control, it seems, over it.

“Even in the moment, you're saying, 'Why is this happening? What is going on?' But you're still in it. It's a weird thing. I don't really know how to describe it. It's frustrating to no end, and that frustration can lead you to some pretty low places. Only those who have gotten to the point where they picked up a phone can probably understand.”

U-T San Diego, Kyle Turley's Fight Of The Mind

Turley appeared on my show two years ago to promote his musical act. Inevitably, the conservation delved into his post-playing days mission...to make the game safer. His 4-year old son already loves football. While Turley doesn't want to steer him away from the game that made his Father famous, he wants the game to be safer by the time his son is old enough for contact football.

Maybe that's why Turley is so open about his issues. Or maybe that's just how Kyle is wired. He's never been one to hide his thoughts. Perhaps it saved his life in that Nashville parking lot.