A football player at the University of California, Los Angeles is retiring from the game after having attempted suicide earlier this year.
Thomas Cole, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, announced his decision to leave the team in an emotional Twitter post on Saturday.
The collegiate athlete shared how he tried to take his own life earlier this year and after months of treatment has come to the 'conclusion that football is not conducive for my mental health.'
Cole said he is 'forever thankful' for the relationships he made on the team and will always 'miss competing and the game of football.'
The four-star recruit's decision to retire comes just over a month after a defensive back left the UCLA team, citing mental health issues.
UCLA offensive lineman Thomas Cole is retiring from football after having attempted suicide earlier this year
Cole shared how he tried to take his own life earlier this year and after months of treatment has come to the 'conclusion that football is not conducive for my mental health
Cole did not play during the 2021 season and did not participate in spring practice after having attempted suicide earlier this year, he revealed.
He shared how his mental health struggle and experience in treatment led him to announce his retirement and how he now has a 'much brighter outlook' on life.
'I haven't been present at the Wasserman facility for the past six months. This is because at the start of 2022 I made an attempt to take my own life,' Cole wrote.
'At first I was regretful that I survived my attempt, but thankfully due to the people at the UCLA hospital, Paradigm residential treatment, and my therapist Meg, I have come to a much brighter outlook for my own future.
He continued: 'After many months of thorough consideration I have come to the conclusion that football is not conducive for my mental health, and there is more to my life than the game of football.'
He announced his decision to leave the team in an emotional Twitter post on Saturday
Cole reiterated how his struggles did 'not negate' the impact his coaches and teammates left on his life.
He thanked his fellow offensive linemen - Benjamin Roy, Garrett DiGiorgio, Noah Puleali, and Taka Mahe - for supporting him and bringing 'so much joy and laughter in a time of immense personal suffering.'
'For these friendships I am forever thankful. I will miss competing and the game of football. But I will mostly miss the people it has brought into my life,' he said.
Cole, a California native, concluded his statement by vowing to continue supporting the Bruins. He also thanked UCLA faculty and staff for helping him during his time at the university.
'I will forever cheer on the Bruins and wish the football program nothing but success,' he wrote.
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