NHRA legend John Force has opened up about his personal struggles with depression. This comes after a particularly challenging year for Force, which included a severe accident and subsequent hospitalization.
Force joins many other athletes, such as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, who have opened up on their personal struggles, raising awareness for others who may be struggling with similar battles.
The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion has had challenging year following a severe crash in Virginia where his car collided with the wall at 300 kmh. The crash resulted in a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum, and a wrist injury. Force remained in the ICU for a number of weeks and although he is now back at home, his recovery is ongoing.
During an appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, ‘Dale Jr Download’, Force explained:
Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images
“You live in the gym, and I do. Since my crash, I go to the, I go to the gym, you know, my wife will say you’ve been 5 days in a row you’re going to wear yourself out.
“I go there number one for depression I fight depression, okay I read, I never read his book, but I read all about Robbie Williams when that little problem thing went down cuz that kind of stuff worries me because I’ve had depression since I was a kid. Wow, you know, what I’m saying and I fight it every day but I get up and if I get up in the morning and I go something’s wrong the sky is falling you know, and I run straight to the gym.”
Force’s battle with depression spans decades, triggered by a tough upbringing. He added:
“I go to bed sick every night, I get depression. Me and my wife talk about it all the time. Why am I stressed? Because I dream that I won’t have a sponsor or I won’t be driving. I dream that and then I wake up sick.
“Once I get in the race car, I’m home. That’s when the stomach aches go away until you lose and (have to) come back. The hard part is thinking you’re gonna have to give it up. And you’re gonna have to, sooner or later. You just can’t go until you fall in the dirt.”
After being absent from the NHRA scene due to the horrific accident, Force made a return to the garage in Las Vegas where he supported his team. However, he is yet to return to the driving seat.
