Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to ever play in America’s National Football League (NFL), ignited a debate online after a video depicting him allegedly using drugs surfaced on the evening of Thursday, August 14.
Adongo is a renowned rugby star, having plied his trade in New Zealand and South Africa, before converting into an outside linebacker for NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2013.
The 31-year-old posted videos on his Facebook page which raised questions on his health, state of mind and well being. His hair appeared shabbily kempt, and he had five huge rings pierced into his nose.
Kenyans speculated, with some alleging that the NFL star was into drugs or weird spiritual beliefs.
Others argued that he was homeless and broke, after being waived by Colts over a domestic violence incident.
His woes commenced in 2015, after a lady he was residing with reported that she feared him and did not want him to return to their residence in Fishers, Indiana, US.
The ex-linebacker was accused of domestic violence by the woman in two separate incidences.
Adongo, by then, had made three senior appearances for the club. After the altercation, his parents spoke on the incident with different opinions.
“That is a normal occurrence in the team, but what we know is that he is still a member of the team and we expect the best from him,” his father stated.
“In another world, Adongo would have been a priest because he followed church teachings strictly,” his mother added.
His plight raises questions on the mental health of athletes and sportsmen as they approach their retirement.
The latest case was of former boxing champion Conjestina Achieng' whose plight was exposed by Classic 105 radio presenter Carol Radull. The troubled former champion has had stints in rehabilitation centres since falling into poverty and drug abuse after her glittering career.
Radull revealed that Conje constantly voiced her anger over being neglected by the country that adored her as she won various bouts.
Explaining why previous attempts to get Conje's life back on track by taking her to rehab might have failed, Radull noted that the boxer was constantly stuck at home alone with her thoughts.
Sports Psychologist Kanyali Ilako spoke with Kenyans.co.ke on some reasons why athletes fall into depression during later stages of their careers.
From her perspective, she believed that Adongo’s life was disrupted after he got injured in 2013. This was seemingly not handled well and it may have affected his athletic identity, making him feel lost.
Another cause may have been poor career transitioning. Transition, she says, is crucial in an athlete's life and without good career guidance, they tend to develop anxiety and depression.
“We can curb such situations in two ways. One is having coaches and teammates becoming accountable for athletes. In this case, his teammates knew him way better and they would have noticed a change.
“Second, it is important for athletes to work with psychologists in the early stages of their careers to understand what lies ahead in terms of injuries, transitions and other career issues such as terminations,” Kanyali advised.
