Mental Health Quick Cast: Bryant McFadden

Former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden (B Mac), two-time Super Bowl champion, Florida State legend, and CBS Sports football analyst, joins Bailey & Buck Unplugged to talk about athlete mental health, identity after sports, and what life feels like when football ends. Bryant opens up about hitting a dark place when his NFL career ended, and why retirement can feel like losing your structure, your identity, and your daily purpose all at once. He breaks down what he calls “double trouble,” how being a man and being a former athlete can make asking for help feel impossible, and what finally pushed him to talk to a professional. We also get into how athletes can approach mental wellness the same way they approach film, training, and getting better every day.

Bryant shares practical steps for finding the right therapist, why you should never settle for a “yes man,” and how building a new passion helped him stay connected to the game while creating a healthier life outside of it. Plus, the crew talks rivalry culture, NIL, and how the pressure on athletes starts way earlier than people realize.

Bailey & Buck Unplugged is a program of the Kennedy Kids Foundation. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). If you are in immediate danger, dial 911. More mental health resources: KennedyKids.org