Huskies WR Renfro Opens Up About Anxiety, Depression; Retiring From UW
University of Washington wide receiver Isaiah Renfro announced his retirement from football on Sunday, opening up about battling anxiety and depression.
Renfro, a sophomore-to-be at UW, was absent from spring practice while Head Coach Chris Petersen said he was dealing with a personal matter. Through his Twitter account he disclosed a long-standing trouble with depression and his journey back to recovery.
- Tweet from Isaiah Renfro account @WaveGodZay -
"Before anything I want to thank the doctors and my close friends for getting me out of a dark place before it was too late. This year has been one of the toughest times I've ever had to endure in my life," the tweet read. "While going through this year I have struggled with and have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Everyday it's very hard for me to do just a simple thing like get myself out bed in the morning. This entire year I have pushed through and gave it my all, till I had none left. I hate failure so I felt like I'd be cheating myself by quitting. But I started to see myself changing...I wasn't the same, I lost love for the game I've been playing ever since I could walk, and it seemed more like a job to me than fun. Waking up in the morning got harder and harder, till it got to the point where I didn't want to wake up at all. I missed spring practice because I was checked in the hospital. I was in a special program for people like me, that taught me how to cope with my problems and what to do when I hit the lowest of lows. I didn't know how bad I got until it was almost too late. But coming out of the hospital, I have a better outlook on life, I'm more and more happy each day I wake up, because I'm able to wake up. I feel that for me to continue my process of getting healthy again I need to step away from the game of football. I will no longer be playing football and will no longer be attending UW. I want to thank Coach Pete, Coach Bush and all the rest of the coaches and staff, for the opportunity and for the continued support. I also want to thank my teammates for allowing me to be a part of the brotherhood that is the football team. And for all the dawg fans out there for making me feel like I was worth something every time I put on that jersey and stepped on the field. This isn't the end for me, just the end of a certain chapter. I will conquer this, and not let this situation conquer me. I'm on a journey to find my happiness again."
Renfro was a 2015 signee to Washington out of Serria Canyon High School [Chatsworth, California], under former wide receivers coach Brent Pease. As a true freshman the wide receiver recored 13 receptions for 178 yards while playing in all 13 games last season.
Current and future Huskies, as well as friends, have responded with support through Twitter following his announcement.
