The first is Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith, who recently talked about his struggle with a debilitating form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition, called religious scrupulosity, has caused him some serious anguish. Smith was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he has struggled deeply with his mental health and has pursued comprehensive treatment.
Smith’s depiction of religious scrupulosity pushes him to feel overwhelming anxiety. He fears that he may be doing something displeasing to God or blasphemous to his fellow man. It was this condition that motivated him to pursue treatment. He has now emerged after spending 48 days in a facility so he could face the overwhelming impact of his disorder. Going to Mexico for ibogaine treatment. Though this powerful psychedelic is currently illegal and classified as a Schedule I substance in the United States, scientific studies have demonstrated its ability to successfully treat an array of mental health ailments.
Smith had been stuck in a never-ending loop of invasive ideas. He sunk three to five hours each day trying to fight off these chronic thoughts. He described his state of mind during this tumultuous period, stating, “I was physically present, but I was nowhere to be found.” His health drastically deteriorated after being placed in the facility. He even started to consider suicide, thinking he was only one month away from having to take the drastic step.
Recognizing the severity of his situation, Smith confided in his wife, Courtney, about his feelings and plans to retire early from football. This conversation prompted him to start seeing a sports psychologist in the early part of last season. In November, in a conscious effort to deal with the tug-of-war in his mind head-on, he entered a facility for mental wellness in Colorado.
After treatment, Smith has felt positive changes in his mental health. He talked about how he doesn’t practice compulsive praying and replacing bad thoughts with good ones anymore. “I don’t do compulsive prayers at all anymore,” he stated. If I have a dark thought, then that’s just one of the thousands of thoughts. So I’ll go about my day and try not to let it get to me.
As if Smith’s personal struggles weren’t enough, his contract situation turned upside-down as well. His original salary cap figure was $19.75 million for 2025. Ultimately, he did agree to redo his contract with the Colts and bring it down to $10.4 million. This adjustment indicates his great dedication to the organization. It also amplifies his relit attention to DN mental health and your growth.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard expressed confidence in Smith’s return, stating that he is “back with the Colts and is in a great spot.”
“There was only one person that was ever perfect, and that was Jesus,” – Braden Smith
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