Congrats Jon! Wishing you nothing but the best!

This seems really interesting to me because with the recent case of Junior Seau, people are trying to lay claim to concussions and brain damage as being the cause of his premature demise. I am of the opinion that the beloved player possibly died from a lack of identity. If being a football player is all that you ever are, or wanted to be, and you've done it, but are no longer able to because of health reasons/age, and so on what happens to your identity?

A loss of who I am, or a realization of who you are, can cause severe depression leading to tragic choices. In Jon's case, he has transitioned from being a "football player" to being a teacher and coach. If his identity was wrapped around who he was, then the chance for him to make the same mistakes is there, but if as we've seen, football was just a part of his life, then his life is not based around the game. Just a thought and it can be applied to any job, any position, any title.

Good call. Setting goals, working towards them, and obtaining them are uplifting and bring you a sense of self-worth. If you live the football life, that is full of goals and accomplishments, then go into a life that is relaxed and boring, then what do you have to look forward to? What are you working towards?

I'm with you. A loss of identity was definitely part of the problem.

Good to see Kitna doing something positive for the community too. I'm a teacher and football coach myself... though I'm no Kitna. Could you imagine getting an education from AND being coached by an accomplished NFL quarterback? (Accomplished, as in, not a 1-and-done QB). That would be awesome!