Winning isn’t always everything. Ask former New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford, who, in a post on social media, recently outlined his depression after perhaps the greatest night of his life.
The Giants had won Super Bowl XLVI, defeating the New England Patriots, 21-17, their second victory over Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in four years.
Weatherford punted four times in the game, averaging 40.8 per attempt with three of those punts landing inside the 20. None of his four punts were returned.
Despite the all-time performance, Weatherford couldn’t help but to feel depressed after the game.
“The night we won the Super Bowl was one of the most depressing nights of my life… Let me explain why,” Weatherford wrote on Facebook. “On February 5th, 2012 we played the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. The game was in Indianapolis just 47 miles from my hometown… My family, my parents, and my friends were all coming and whoever couldn’t would be watching on TV and I actually had the greatest game of my life. I couldn’t have performed better and we won 21-17.
“But after all the celebrations and parties were over, something came over me. I was sitting in my hotel room and a deep wave of depression came over me. All the early mornings, all the years of hard work, all the sacrifice… and I didn’t feel different. I tried to fill the void inside of me with winning and success but all it did was leave me feeling empty. That’s when I decided that I couldn’t stay in the NFL much longer and needed to find a deeper sense of purpose.”
Weatherford played a few more seasons for the Giants before ending his career with the Jets in 2015. His life has since taken on a new purpose and he is dedicated to helping other men find their true calling.
“So let me be the first to warn you, no amount of success or achievement can fill the God-sized hole in you,” Weatherford continued. “It wasn’t until I got my life in order with God at the top that I was able to find a much deeper sense of purpose that energizes me every day. So now I’m on a mission to help other men do the same.
“I could’ve stayed in the NFL, I could’ve continued growing my supplement business, or been on TV but there is nothing that lights me up more than helping men live a life on purpose. That’s why I am going to spend a lot of 2024 taking tribes of men through a 90-day transformational Intensive based on my experience.”
Weatherford has detailed a number of personal issues since his retirement but has found purpose outside of the game of football, including his new program for men.
