Total Pro Sports
Braden Smith is breaking his silence over his personal issues.
Less than a year ago, there were real concerns that the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive tackle would never step foot on a football field again.
Smith missed the final five games of the 2024 season due to a severe battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that forced him to spend 48 days in a treatment facility.
As a result, he would undergo a series of treatments that included the use of a psychedelic drug in his fight to become himself again.
These days, Braden Smith is happy to be back at the Indianapolis Colts training camp.
Smith recently revealed to ESPN about his battle with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the 2024 NFL season.
‘I was just trying to be alive this time this year,’ said Smith said – having previously revealed that he contemplated suicide.
‘I wasn’t thinking about anything. I just wanted to find joy in life, and, for a while there, I didn’t feel like I was ever going to find that again. So just being out here is just a plus for me.’
His condition was so bad that Braden Smith’s wife, Courtney, was forced to change the combination on the family’s gun safe so he couldn’t access any firearms.
“Last year, I was just kind of out there,” Smith said. “I was going through the motions, but I didn’t feel that edge that players have. I didn’t have that last year. I didn’t feel that.”
Braden Smith’s condition caused him to contemplate retirement last season, as he was unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Smith was diagnosed with religious scrupulosity, a form of OCD where individuals are overly concerned that something they thought or did might be a sin or other violation of their religion.
Smith revealed a ibogaine treatment he underwent in Mexico when he spoke about being able to erase many of the poor habits he created in his mind. When his OCD was at its peak, Smith would feel the need to pray, repent, or declare his faith in a repetitive fashion.
Braden Smith admitted OCD is still part of him, but the disorder no longer constantly affects his daily life.
“There’s not boxes I need to check off, there’s not things I need to do,” Smith said.
“It’s not perfect, but it’s kind of allowed me to give it all to Him and not worry about what else can happen.”
Aside from the mental health hurdles, Smith sustained a knee injury in 2023, missed seven games that season, and underwent surgery.
Now, a mentally and physically stronger man is ready to continue his career.
“This is probably the best I’ve felt in a really long time,” he said. “It’s kind of nice to see everything come together. Now, I can just go play football.”
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