Michael Beasley, Miami’s young forward, checked into a hospital for depression.
Word of his problems began this past weekend, when a photo on his Twitter page (above) showed what seemed to be some bags of drugs on a table. Under heat, Beasley took down the picture, but not before writing: “‘Y do I feel like the whole world is against me!!!!!!! Back on my FTW!!!!! I can’t win for losin!!!!!!!!!!’ … ‘Feelin like it’s not worth livin!!!!!!! I’m done’ … ‘not feelin this at all!!!!!'””
Having covered sports for a while, I know what many people are thinking: what does this guy have to complain about? He’s a pro athlete … playing in Miami … money … women … etc.
Sadly, life never works that way. There’s no such thing as perfection or bliss. In fact, I’d argue that’s why so many of the famous among us turn to drugs and alcohol. They think they’re supposed to be living this amazing life, and when it doesn’t turn out to be so amazing, they’re at a loss. Happened to Len Bias and Shannon Hoon; to Jim Morrison and Steve Howe and hundreds of others.
I have nothing but sympathy for Beasley. The sooner celebrities learn to step away from their fame, the better. That means leaving the red carpet lifestyle behind—or at least exposing oneself to it in limited doses. That also means somehow reminding oneself that fame is, in and of itself, a mirage. It comes, it goes, it means very little.
Hope it goes well for the guy. I truly do.
