“I Was in Pain Every Day”: Fomer NFL Star Brandon Marshall Shatters NFL Silence on Mental Health After BPD Diagnosis
Brandon Marshall now serves as a proud mental health advocate!
October 3, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 17, 2026
Brandon Marshall, one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers, shared a diagnosis that completely changes how he views his life and career.
On the field, Brandon was pushing the boundaries, but off the field, he was battling something profound, which was invisible to fans, family, or relatives: mental health struggles from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
After many years of battling alone, finally in 2011 he sought a professional help from the McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts; there he was diagnosed with BPD.
“Finally, I understood what I was dealing with,” Marshall said, on what was troubling him the whole time over the past few years.
Mental Health Can Affect Anyone
The former Pro Bowl MVP has described being in constant pain and trying to live up to the NFL’s “strong” culture.
He also admitted, “I was in pain every day,” during interviews, reflecting on years before his diagnosis in 2011.
Thanks to Marshall’s courage, he chose to spread awareness that a mental struggle can happen to anyone, even an NFL star who has played for over a decade, requiring the highest level of fitness and mental preparation.
He was one of the first high-profile NFL players to discuss a serious mental health issue openly.
“We need to accept that mental illness is a disease, and that, like any other disease, the research is key to fighting it. We need more robust education in schools. But most of all, we need to break the stigma,” says Brandon.
After his treatment, Brandon, along with his wife Michi, launched Project 375, a non-profit organization dedicated to mental-health advocacy.
It was officially registered in 2013 and focuses on training and education, offering programs such as Youth Mental Health First Aid, awareness programs, and providing mental health resources.
Brandon has also thanked his then-wife, Michi, for helping him recover from these challenging phases in his life. “If she hadn’t held me accountable, if she hadn’t loved me, hadn’t shown compassion during my weakest moments, I would have probably lost everything. My football career, my wife … everything.”
The former NFL star has also said he wishes his legacy to have contributions to the mental health community, and he has rightfully proved it with his actions.
From 2013 to his post-retirement life, he continued his advocacy for mental health, and his story has even helped open doors for other athletes, like Kevin Love, Dak Prescott, and Simone Biles.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brandon Marshal had a 13-year NFL career from 2006 to 2018. He played for six teams during the period: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks.
- The former NFL star was married to Michi Nogami Marshall in 2026, before their divorce in 2026. The couple has three kids together: Brandon Jr., Brielle, and Brianna.
- He has received over six Pro-Bowl selections and has had over 12000 receiving yards, having played 213 NFL games in his career.
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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.
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