© 2019 Student Athlete Counseling

Suicide & Male Student Athletes

Jamal T. Jackson, LCSW

5/29/25

What do Owen Thomas, Wyatt Bramwell, Tajh Boyd, Sam Westmoreland, Tyler Hilinski and Kyren Lacy have in common?  They are all former NCAA student athletes who played football and completed suicide.  According to the National Library of Medicine, NCAA football athletes demonstrated the highest incidence of suicide among all sports and a significantly higher risk of suicide than male athletes participating in other NCAA-sanctioned sports (1).  Reports of individuals passing whether by suicide or something else, tend to communicate that the family asks that their privacy be respected at this time, which I believe the majority, including myself respect and wholeheartedly understand.  My hope is that through whatever time necessary in their healing journey that the families who have experienced a loss through suicide grow to become more comfortable with sharing aspects of their experiences.  Maybe it’s inconsiderate of me to think this… being fully transparent it is uncomfortable writing, because the death of a loved one, regardless of how it occurred, is one of the most intimate conversations a loved one can share.  Some families and loved ones have communicated what their children/family members were going through and I found their comments to be brave as well as profound in normalizing conversations about mental health.  

Kenny Lacy, father of Kyren Lacy was one parent who did just that.  In 2020 Kyren was a three star recruit from Louisiana who caught 54 receptions for 864 yards and 18 touchdowns.  This earned him a scholarship from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he attended for one year before transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU).  At LSU he completed what seemed as a successful college football career and conversation around being drafted as a high pick in the National Football League.  Which is a life changing circumstance and dream for many!  However, towards the end of his final year as a student athlete life drastically changed for Kyren.  A timeline of events is below…

Timeline of events

November 30, 2024 – Kyren’s final football game vs. Oklahoma (3 catches, 41 yards, 13.7 avg. 1 TD).

December 17, 2024 – Fatal car crash that killed a 78 year old and speculation that Kyren was involved.  

December 19, 2024 – Kyren declared for the NFL draft. 

December 31, 2024 – Sat out Texas Bowl game due to declaring for the NFL draft.

January 10, 2025 – Louisiana State Police issue warrant. 

January 12, 2025 – Kyren turned himself in and was charged with negligent homicide and felony hit and run.  

March 26, 2025 – Kyren participated in LSU’s pro day.

April 12, 2025 – Kyren gets into a verbal altercation with a family member resulting in Kyren discharging a firearm.

April 12, 2025 – Kyren involved in a vehicle pursuit with police resulting in an apparent completed suicide by firearm and crashing his car.

After Kyren’s death, Kenny wrote a message urging parents to talk to their children early on, so they are confident and comfortable confiding in you, and not to accept “I’m aight” or “I’m okay” when deep down you know something is wrong.  Kenny’s message was a substantial reminder of how imperative it is for our young student athletes and society to value mental health like lifting weights, catching touchdowns, and running the 40 yard dash.  Because to be a whole and well-rounded student athlete incorporates more than just the athletic ability.

If you, your child, someone you know or care about is experiencing anger, anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, or are having difficulty in peer, teacher or coach relationships, experiencing school/sports performance challenges, or are going through any kind of emotional crisis, resources are listed below.