Rugby fans' messages to 'depressed' Hull FC star Brett Seymour

“his he meant to be depressed because he's written off an old scrapper 3 series ?”

“As the dust settles on this situation I think it is important that lessons are learnt and that people get things in perspective.

Brett is alive and his family still has a father and his wife has her partner. No-one else was injured.

From the available information it would seem that he has suffered with depression for some time and as with most young people in this situation didn't understand it and sort refuge in excess.

When Hull first considered signing him I assume they had this information as it would have been in the public domain. They would almost certainly have had a physical medical done on him and had he failed this they would have not pursued the matter. However like society in general they chose to ignore tell tale signs that emotionally and psychologically he might not cope with a trip half way around the world to play for a club which notoriously comes with huge pressure as perennial underachievers.

Professional sport is huge business and in modern times a replacement for religion in many people's lives hence the huge amounts of money invested in it. One way or another be it physical or mental it takes its toll on most of its athletes as by nature it is a survival of the fittest environment.

As people sit around pointing fingers and attributing blame time is being wasted on making sure this doesn't happen continually in the future. Education about mental illness and a public acceptance that is no different to physical illness would be a massive step in the right direction. No player would worry about saying he had torn a muscle but no-one would ever say I've had a bad time personally I am not fit to play as it is perceived as weakness.

We can all play our part in this and not just leave it up to everyone else. I have been critical of his performances but if I had known this would simply have questioned the coach playing him just like I wouldn't expect him to play Ellis on crutches.

I hope he gets the support and help he needs to move on with his life and well done to the RL community for rallying round again.”

“Billbo****,another point i wou;d like to make after your statement on this site,the police would still like witnesses to come forward,after making your statement on these threads have you attended to that matter?”

“now the realisation of seymours illness has been put before all fans,it seems hes had greater problems to cope with than just playing rugby league,after reading of how it destroys a person,and the heartache that can befall his family and friends,i hope that brett seymour regains good health and gets back to being the player that we know he was in the NRL,good luck brett in your endeavour to do just that.”

“billbo****,Why mention it in the way you have then, better still why mention it at all,your leaving people to form their own conclusions,which could be possibly wrong,perhaps describing it has you have was your real motive in doing so,to put doubt in peoples minds about what has already been said about Seymours dilemma.”

“billbo****15

ALways best to say nothing about drink or medication UNTIL it comes out one way or the other

He could have been in shock...”

“get well brett ,hopefully some of the hull fans might get off your case abit ,some of the stuff you seen recent on here and on hulls site , wouldnt of help ,least some people may now wise up and realisle hounding people ,just puts pressure on people ,best of look”

“Brett has not really hit the kind of form which he had in the NRL. He is a dedicated PRO so he would realise that thats the case. For a variety of reasons, some under his control and others most certainly not, it aint worked out as it appeared it would.
He is a really nice guy, he played in my fourball at last years FC Golf day at Hull GC. He was constantly on the phone as we went round checking to see if Roseanne was ok as their baby was due any day. Despite being told to get off home to be with her he stayed on because he had committed to do the day.
Its such a sad thing to happen to someone with a young family and so far away from home. Good Luck with the recovery mate.

Below is an extract from a recent TV Programme which quite clearly indicates the severity of the condition and also that top level athletes are particularly prone to suffering.

'Cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff recently took to television to explore depression in sport, in his harrowing BBC One documentary "Freddie Flintoff: Hidden Side of Sport". In this, Freddie, who battled depression and developed a severe dependency on alcohol, spoke to many sporting heroes who know all too well the struggles and the consequences of the illness, such as football hard man Vinnie Jones, team mate Steve Harmison, boxer Barry McGuigan, and Neil Lennon amongst others.'”

“Well said Forest.....I don't understand depression having never experienced it but it must be a horrible thing to have...

Seems to happen to a few people in Sport as it happened to Deano x Hull City , and Gary Speed ended up killing himself.”

“Get well soon Brett. The rugby comes second to your health.
Lets hop Hull FC give him all the support he needs.”