“My goal was not to bring attention to myself, but to bring attention to mental health,” he told ESPN. “It’s something a lot of people struggle with. And not only younger people, but all people. They battle it every day and keep it a secret. My thinking was that if a college athlete can come out and speak about how seeking help is the most important thing you can do, then maybe all those people out there struggling will reach out to somebody and know that there is always hope.”
Maurer is now planning to get help
“I didn’t tell anybody about what I was going through, because you’re embarrassed,” Maurer said. “But everybody at the University of Tennessee has been great, and Coach Weinke has been my rock. I’m excited to better myself. And most of all, to let others know who are going through the same thing that they’re not alone.”
In eight games last season, the backup freshman signal-caller was 35 of 75 for 541 yards. He had two touchdowns against five interceptions.