Rhys Bennett, a highly-rated young defender for Manchester United, has shared his inspiring story with us. He boldly opened up about his grief and resurgence from the sudden death of his father, David Bennett. Bennett is still dealing with the emotional fallout of this tragic, life-changing accident. Alongside this, he’s using his platform to promote the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign. The campaign is starting to have important conversations about mental health and help people feel empowered to seek help no matter what their situation might be.
At only 19 years old, Bennett is already a step ahead of his competition in all the right ways. His captaincy of the side that lifted the FA Youth Cup at the end of 2014 proved not only his leadership skills, but his talent on the pitch. Early this year, his life took a tragic turn. In August, he got the heartbreaking news that his father had taken his own life. This event has been deeply transformational for Bennett. Nethercutt is still dealing with emotions he says are among the most acute he’s ever experienced.
A Young Career Interrupted
Bennett’s career as a player started from that young age of six, where he first started playing football. He was signed by Manchester United at the age of eight and ever since, the club has felt like a second home. The teenaged defender has thrown everything he has into developing his craft. He experiences excitement and fulfillment playing with one of the globe’s most iconic clubs. The recent tragedy has deeply affected him, leading him to reconsider his connection with the game.
Bennett is looking to come back from his injury strong. Ideally he will go out on loan in January and get some playing experience which will be valuable and aid his development. Football remains a passion for him, serving as both a career aspiration and a positive distraction from the painful realities he faces off the field.
“I can never feel like I did that day when I found out.” – Rhys Bennett
Beyond acknowledging the hard realities, Bennett insists we must cultivate hope and resilience.
The Importance of Speaking Up
In recognition of these experiences, Bennett promotes open discussions surrounding mental health and emotional well-being. And he wants young people of all ages and backgrounds to be empowered to do that. “You don’t realise just having a conversation about how you feel and not having that stigma around it especially with men,” he states.
Bennett urges people to reach out to those in their communities, no matter how “put together” they may seem. He calls attention to the fact that even people who appear to be doing well might be crumbling on the inside. “Even if someone’s having the best time of their life and everything’s going well, it’s still worth checking in on them,” he adds.
“I’ve been in a football environment since I was six years old, I’ve been here since I was eight years old and it’s like you try and put on this brave face and you think that you can’t talk about how you might be feeling but it’s so important,” – Rhys Bennett
Bennett’s frankness highlights a larger issue of sexism in sports culture, particularly as it pertains to men. To many, especially men, artists and non-artists alike, vulnerability equals weakness. In addition to promoting the therapeutic process, he focuses on the importance and idea that anyone—young or old—can go for help or go to therapy. Asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness.
A Legacy of Influence
Sweet David Bennett had a huge influence on growing Rhys’ personality and development. His father was a fickle ally, often disapproving. For those eight years, he not only coached him, but he taught him how to successfully avoid the pitfalls of boyhood football. The loss has made a deep impact on Rhys. Looking back, he believes through his father’s mentorship, he learned priceless lessons.
Bennett usually sees himself as the stoic man. Soon he learns that his grief goes much deeper and is more complicated than he could ever imagine. He wants his story to encourage people to feel, too. His latest advice to all of us is to ask for help when we need it.
“There’s never a problem with that,” – Rhys Bennett
Bennett’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the need for heightened mental health awareness, especially within the realm of young athletes. He undoubtedly paves his own path within the game of football. Along the way, he has become an advocate for mental health support, inspiring those who struggle with oropharyngeal cancer or any other type of cancer.
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