In an interview with Rich Salgado, host of Big Daddy & Friends, veteran NFL reporter Jim Trotter didn’t shy away from the mental health aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he’s been personally impacted.
Trotter’s transparent take on the issue provided a refreshing, outside-the-lines perspective on how people in the sports world have felt the ramifications of the coronavirus even as business continues as usual in terms of NFL game schedules and other major sports’ playoffs.
NFL reporter comments on COVID-19 pandemic
Trotter spoke to Big Daddy openly about how the stigma of speaking on these matters can lead people to, in essence, suffer in silence.
“The mental health aspect of this pandemic is sort of under-reported and under-recognized. I believe in talking about these things so that we can all see that we’re not different, that we all go through the same things.”
Drawing from his own personal experience, Trotter explained how he yearned for normalcy, and even the basic activities lots of people do such as seeing a movie on the big screen or having a nice meal out have become increasingly rare and restricted. When lockdowns initially began, it wasn’t even possible to do either of those in most areas.
“Halfway through this thing, it was really difficult psychologically. When you’re accustomed to traveling…being in front of people…going out to eat, or going out to a movie, and you’re unable to do any of those things, I found myself, psychologically being in sort of a down place — and had to try to find a way out of it.”
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Staying active has helped Jim Trotter with COVID-19 mental health, talks Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic
Although he didn’t specify the solutions he sought after dealing with the daily adversity brought about by COVID-19, Trotter did say he managed to get through the dark times and into a better place mentally.
“Fortunately, after a couple weeks, and realizing some things I could do to help, I did find my way out of it.”
One of the safest sports-related activities is golf, and Trotter implied he’s used that as an outlet to remain active and boost his mental health. He specifically referenced Salgado’s annual golf tournament, which last took place at Oheka Castle in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
“Golf is one of those things that helped me — and you know I’m looking forward to your golf tournament…it definitely is a highlight,” Trotter said to Salgado.
The Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic is an event that benefits various charities every year, although COVID-19 also put that on pause. With winter coming soon, it’s too late to hit the links, but as Salgado explained in a recent YouTube interview, the date for the next Big Daddy Classic is June 2021.