{"id":157,"date":"2010-01-03T21:28:03","date_gmt":"2010-01-04T02:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=157"},"modified":"2010-01-03T21:29:02","modified_gmt":"2010-01-04T02:29:02","slug":"charles-haleys-battle-against-mental-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=157","title":{"rendered":"Charles Haley’s Battle Against Mental Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Former JMU Duke, Charles Haley<\/p><\/div>\n

When I first heard the stories of Charles Haley’s pranks, outbursts, and locker room antics, I laughed and thought to myself “that dude had major issues.” \u00a0Unfortunately, it turns out that the former JMU great has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. And I’m pretty sure that makes me an ass. Brad Townsend reports on\u00a0Haley’s struggle with mental illness<\/a> in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News. It’s a must read article for all Dukes’ fans. Here are some snippets:<\/p>\n

“I left a road of destruction when I played,” he says.<\/p>\n

Haley isn’t referring to the linemen he annihilated en route to 100 \u00bd sacks and more Super Bowl\u00a0victories, five, than any player.<\/p>\n

He’s talking about the other carnage. The teammates and coaches he “wronged.” Some of the writers he cursed. And, most regrettably, the 19-year marriage he wrecked.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Haley’s teammates and family encouraged him to talk about his disorder and. It seems as if he’s making some positive strides:<\/p>\n

They note that after years of struggling with bipolar disorder, Haley now manages the dramatic mood swings through therapy, medicine and personal resolve.<\/p>\n

They say they have been heartened by his spiritual growth and atonements, especially during the past year. Now they want to help him repair two decades of collateral damage.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Despite their divorce, Haley’s ex-wife Karen, continues to be one of his biggest supporters in his quest for enshrinement:<\/p>\n

“I’m very proud to witness his transformation,” she says. “I don’t use that word often, but I really feel it has been a transformation.<\/p>\n

“One thing I think is unfair is that once people have a mental image of a person, it generally doesn’t change. I’m worried the negativity will prevent Charles from being in the Hall of Fame \u2013 and he is so deserving.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The article continues to shed some light on Haley as a father and talks about how much he leans on Karen to this day:<\/p>\n

“I don’t even know why she would talk to me, man, because I was out of control most of my life,” Haley says. “But she’s been there, directing me, helping me. She’s a strong black woman \u2013 I mean strong. I’ve never moved on. She’s always been the love of my life, and I feel she’ll always be part of my life. I’ve never been able to care for anybody like I do for her.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Definitely read the whole article. It paints a different picture of Haley than most of us probably had in our heads. The 15 Hall of Fame finalists are announced this Friday. Todd and I have already gone on the record stating how badly we’d like to see Haley get elected. (Ed. note: Yes, in the very same post I joked about how Haley had issues. Again, I’m an ass.)<\/em> Now, I’ve got to imagine that even non-JMU fans will be pulling for him as well. At the very least, I sincerely hope he’s able to continue to make positive steps towards controlling his disorder.<\/p>\n