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Jordan Matechuk attempts a comeback, talks about depression and drug problems

Andrew Bucholtz

When Hamilton Tiger-Cats' long-snapper/linebacker Jordan Matechuk was arrested at the U.S. border last May with 543 anabolic steroid pills, 262 millilitres of anabolic steroids in liquid form, 1.25 grams of marijuana, 19 syringes, and 51 replacement needles, few thought he'd ever play in the CFL again; it wasn't quite the arrest of Yonus Davis (who Matechuk's seen tackling above) for receiving "40 boats" of ecstasy, but it wasn't that far behind. Matechuk was quickly released by the Tiger-Cats and went on to serve 60 days of his 90-day sentence before being released, and it seemed like he might pass right out of CFL memory. However, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed him in February, and the 26-year-old Matechuk was in attendance at their mini-camp this week, where he had some interesting things to say about his battle with depression and how that led him to drugs. From Judy Owen of The Canadian Press:

"The things that happened to me, I did them to myself," Matechuk said after the first day of Winnipeg's mini camp.

"I live with depression. I suffer from the mental illness depression and I used steroids and marijuana as part of a coping mechanism to make me feel better and I've learnt."

"I went off my medication when I shouldn't have and I'm with my doctor now working hard and we're on the same page and we're all working together here with the Bomber family and they're making sure that everything is good."

Matechuk's behaviour isn't particularly excusable, but he does deserve some understanding, and he definitely deserves plaudits for coming forward to talk about this. Depression is a brutally tough disease, and one that's hit many prominent figures in the sports world, but few are willing to discuss it; that's what's made efforts from Randy Starkman, Michael Landsberg, Clara Hughes and others so notable. It's still not an easy topic for many to discuss, and that was evident in some of the comments Adam Wazny got from Winnipeg head coach Paul LaPolice:

LaPolice couldn't single out a specific instance of dealing with a player affected by depression and surprisingly, the coach was somewhat dismissive of the subject -- how depression can negatively impact the sheltered lives of professional athletes -- when it came up with reporters Wednesday.

Depression is still felt within the Winnipeg sports community. Rick Rypien, the former Manitoba Moose, Vancouver Canuck and Winnipeg Jets player, took his own life as a result of depression last summer.

"I don't know if we want to put (Jordan) Matechuk in that same position right now," LaPolice said. "It's uncomfortable for me to put that association together."

Obviously, linking Matechuk directly to Rypien can be problematic, but Rypien's case shows just how badly depression can turn out if left untreated and unchecked. Matechuk deserves plenty of credit for speaking out about this and using football as a platform to spread the word about depression, and it's obvious sports can play a key role here; just look at the response from the Vancouver Canucks partnering with health authorities to launch mental health site Mindcheck.ca in the wake of Rypien's death. The CFL's often known for second chances, and it's nice to see Matechuk using his in such a positive way so far. Maybe this will encourage other football players to speak out about depression, rather than suffering silently, and perhaps if Matechuk winds up making the Bombers, he and the team can work to do even more to promote mental health in their community.