Gay Beat Odds Bigger Than Football
April 27th, 2019
Knows pressure.
New Bucs kicker Matt Gay may never be a full-time kicker for the Bucs. But he’s handled adversity before.
You see, Gay battles depression and at one time it nearly kicked Gay out of his life’s goals, writes Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake City Tribune. In fact, Gay’s football kicking career was nearly Pearl Harbored by soccer coaches who didn’t want him to play football.
Gay instead carved meat at Tucanos Brazilian Grill for a year before playing soccer for a season at Utah Valley. Thereafter, he went on an LDS Church mission in Houston, which he initially loved until … that aforementioned darkness crowded in. Depression had run in Gay’s family, and under the duress of mission life, it nailed him to his bed.
“All you want to do is sleep,” he says. “But you can’t sleep. You’re tired all the time. … You have no motivation. Your mind controls your body. It took over mine.”
Morose, cheerless thoughts washed over him in black waves. He could find no tranquility, no air to breathe.
Gay returned home after six months looking for treatment, looking for relief. It was slow coming. He remained listless and, he thought, useless. He didn’t even want to play the game that had been his passion from the time he was a toddler.
Monson writes that only after therapy and medications was Gay able to pull himself out of the darkness.
And then Gay’s football kicking days began to blossom.
So if Gay can hang with the Bucs, trying to make kicks in the Den of Depression is nothing compared to what he went through in his personal life.
Talking to the local pen and mic club in a teleconference call this afternoon, Gay said he was “shocked and overcome with emotions” at being drafted. He said he saw a Tampa number on his cell phone and then looked at the TV and saw the Bucs were on the clock and then it hit him that he was being drafted.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
So we have a kicker who is a head case. Brilliant.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Great. Lichte picked a kicker with mental issues. I wish him the best, but that doesn’t sound like a well thought out pick.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Joe was making a joke with the title
Wow
Licht has lost my trust. This kid goes undrafted
April 27th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Ouch
This seems like its the wrong place at the wrong time for him.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Welcome to tampa big guy!!! Now look, fk depression!! Grow a thick skin-get your game on-fk it!!!
Nail some kicks for us kid! And sit back in the meantime and enjoy a somewhat comfortable looking bank account. Your life just improved….NOW LIVE IT!!!!!!
April 27th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
New Bucs kicker Matt Gay may never be a full-time kicker for the Bucs – this is a great 1st sentence Joe (sarcasm) why in the world would you use up a pick for a kicker that you believe may never make the team. wouldn’t it be smarter to do that with a RB or Guard or Tackle which we need more
April 27th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
This is not arians picks
He was on lights board after the whole Aguayo pick He was rated the best ?
I honestly could be a GM
I can take Devin white. Love that guy
I could take better guys off a computer program
April 27th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
“New Bucs kicker Matt Gay may never be a full-time kicker for the Bucs. But he’s handled adversity before”
Just like that song, A Boy Named Sue”
The Gay kicker is what’s called the coup de grace.
Just when the draft is flopping around on the floor, mortally wounded, you put it out of it’s misery with a bullet through the bucking ear.
Fire Licht tonight.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
Not only does the Toad Lichter draft a kicker – he drafts a depressed kicker!
April 27th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
I’ve been defending Licht the last couple days, but how can I defend this. I can’t understand how this can make any kind of sense. ugh, I sound like so many other Licht haters on these boards.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Geez…. imagine Chris Baker just yelling at him every attempt? This draft is confusing…. please be great Devin White!
April 27th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
Wow!!!!!!!! What a sick joke Jason is playing.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
How in the world does J Lite keep a job? Nothing personal, but if I did the same at my job, I would voluntarily pass the baton.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
Dang, who is this Odds fella?
April 27th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
All you experts have a one in ten chance that YOUR pick will make it before Gay. You have a 90% chance of failure…same as Licht and ALL NFL GM’s.
Man get a grip and relax a bit. This pick has nothing but upside.
If he makes it great…if not nothing significant lost other than a 1-10 chance the pick of YOUR choice would stick.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Remember, our ST coach Keith Armstrong said he wants his kickers to be fighters. That’s directly from his mouth from his introductory press conference w/ media. That is what Gay is. Santos was not. Better chance to start, contribute and make the team as a 5th rounder than most anyone else or position has at that point. It’s not that crazy of a move. It could end up being a smart move.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Jason Licht has no clue
His scouts were cool with that
BA was cool with that
Especially after we signed “the guy”
April 27th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Where can I apply to be a GM…. I think I can do same or better job.
April 27th, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Hunter renfrow went after the pick
April 27th, 2019 at 3:00 pm
So Licht not only picks a kicker, he picks one that’s clinically depressed.
There weren’t any one-legged kickers available?
April 27th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
So basically a team as star-crossed at Kicker as the Bucs who watched a 2nd round pick flame out because of a mental block now takes a kicker who is prone to depression.
I’ve long thought Jason Licht was incompetent but now I wonder if he’s just evil. Best of luck Matt Gay, I’m so sorry Jason had to do this to you.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:05 pm
So if I understand this draft correctly, so far BA has thrown 5 straight bones to defense, then 1 bone to S/Ts. Wonder if the last bones will go to offense. Once the draft is over, Jason promises to hold a seminar for Bucs fans on TEAM BUILDING. Can’t wait.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:05 pm
I’m so excited for him. What a great opportunity this is for him. I hope he continues to do well. He will be an inspiration to many others who suffer with depression. Welcome to Tampa! Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
^ yep Tom.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
At least now we know which jersey 813broccoli will constantly wear!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
48hrs until the return of “The Buc Realist” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 27th, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Those that are attempting to be humerus about depression, obviously never have been there. Depression is nothing to joke about. This kid deserves a chance. He is fighting with a horrible place to mentally be. It is beyond me how any of you can find some smarmy comments about this kid. I get the impression most are brave talking crap through their keyboard than they would ever have the balls enough to say something to this kid’s face.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:09 pm
I have also suffered and recovered from depression. Good to see him being honest and making his dreams come true. You go Gay!
April 27th, 2019 at 3:10 pm
I don’t hate the pick as much as others, rarely does a 5th rounder contribute much to a team. However what I can’t stand are whiners who complain about “depression” because they need attention and think words hurt. Ugh. I get it kid, your last name is Gay, everyone called you gay to the point you thought you were a gay, but it was just them messing with you over your name. Get it over d-bag and man up.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:11 pm
@James
CONGRATULATIONS on beating a tough challenge that most folks underestimate. Good on you. And yeah this makes Gay an early favorite for me as well.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Depression not a joke wish this kid all the best
April 27th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Jason Licht:
“Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot”
“Will follow him anywhere just to see what stupid sh!t he does next”
“When he opens his mouth, it is only to change whichever foot was in there”
“He has delusions of adequacy”
“He has hit rock bottom, yet continues to dig”
“He sets low personal standards, and continues to fail to achieve them”
“He works well under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap”
“He reminds you of a gyroscope, always moving, yet going nowhere”
“He will go far–and the sooner, the better!”
April 27th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Wtf
April 27th, 2019 at 3:13 pm
He’s going to be eaten alive the second he shanks an important kick, whether it be a FG or PAT
April 27th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
A guy who’s dealing with depression kicking in the Den of Depression. I hope he has success..
April 27th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
relax. the kid will not have depression here, or at least it will not be noticeable. The depression in Tampa is already so thick that his will be hardly noticeable.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
@kmattin. I have suffered from depression and panic attacks since I had Scarlet Fever at age 11. I am going on 80. It is no fun, but it helps if you make fun of yourself, it eases the pain.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Well said kmattin. If the kid is rated the best kicker in college football then he obviously has gotten control of it. We have sucked at kicking for so long. Hate to use a 5th rounder but we gotta solve this and get points on the board…
April 27th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
So Gay battles depression…
And he’s drafted to kick in the “Den of Depression “
Aguayo also made 100 pct of his xpts in college and then couldn’t do it in the pros.
Gay won Lou Groza award for college’s best kicker, we’ll see…
April 27th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
This is fine we desperately need a kicker.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:27 pm
A mentally compromised kicker in the pressure packed NFL ( Limpchimpi is a mental midget…read his posts and trust me on this 🙂 ). This ends well like so many Licht Weight Whiffs.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
OMG. I know it’s 2019 and all. Why couldn’t we get a guy named “Smith.” With that name, he better open beer bottles with his teeth and be a helluva kicker. Going to bet that is the jerzey with least all time sales.
April 27th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
OMG. Time to drink: “You see, Gay battles depression and at one time it nearly kicked Gay out of his life’s goals, writes Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake City Tribune.”
Got it. Great. Oh, did Aguayo grease pencil in his shrink’s name on his locker?
I get it. I was going to be drafted by the pros when I entered college and reality hit. I didn’t get depressed…or at least not suicidal. God, I was 20 and just changed tracks. I just joined ROTC and went on to be a pilot and realized an NFL kicker wasn’t to be. So is this draft what keeps this kid from sinking? Yikes. Hope not. And yesterday I was happy we drafted White over Allen because of dealing with Allen’s ADHD.
I hope Gay is sorted out. It is not his fault. But why do we take on this stuff?
April 27th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
So we just drafted guys, one of which tagged a 14 year old girl and evaded police, and now this…a basket case. I could swear this team just moved to SF.
April 27th, 2019 at 4:07 pm
New Bucs kicker Matt Gay says he wasn’t sure if he would get drafted, maybe 6th or 7th round. When Bucs called him early in the fifth round: “I was kind of like ‘No way. Not right now.’ Kind of shocked and overcome with emotion. It was amazing.”
April 27th, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Boy I’m depressed now and need medication reading our new kicker who was drafted in the 5th round is a head case! No wonder Jason Gump likes him… they are two peas in a pod!
April 27th, 2019 at 4:21 pm
Licht should be fired immediately. This is beyond reproach. I’m really at a loss for words. It’s a Bucs life.
April 27th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
yeah but now i’m depressed…licht is a wild f’in dude
April 27th, 2019 at 4:30 pm
forrest gump licht should have his id badge removed immediately and be escorted by security to his john deer tractor. he is seriously over his head
April 27th, 2019 at 4:30 pm
How can you not root for a guy like this……talk about a GM sticking his neck out…..this took big balls……..
April 27th, 2019 at 4:33 pm
There are just some miserable, atrocious, sob’s posting on jbf.
April 27th, 2019 at 4:35 pm
I love all of the negativity! I truly think a lot you underestimate this kid! I’m wishing him the best
April 27th, 2019 at 4:56 pm
@Magadude….. Don’t forget Lorenzo the male Pom Pom girl and the two female trainers! Yup we belong in San Fran!
April 27th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
@PasstheBuc
I thought at 71 I was the oldest poster here then you go and snatch that title. LOL I surrender it to you gladly.
April 27th, 2019 at 5:41 pm
Greg Says:
Well thought out critique on Meathead!! Only in America could this SOB have a GM job making Millions of dollars each year!! It’s truly amazing!
April 27th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
kmattin Says:
April 27th, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Those that are attempting to be humerus about depression, obviously never have been there. Depression is nothing to joke about.
Nope its nothing to joke about….i deal with it everyday, runs in my family too…but guess what, you have to choose to not let it ruin you then go from there.
April 27th, 2019 at 6:42 pm
Wow this a sad situation that’s only going to make his depression worse if he plays for the Bucs.
April 27th, 2019 at 7:15 pm
Thank God Swaggy Baker aint around. This kid would cry and quit.
April 27th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
Man some people are so negative. Poke fun at a guy like this who went through a tough time and overcame it. All because you are jaded with a football team that you secretly love because you wouldn’t be on this website if you didn’t. Don’t get it.
April 27th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
Dewey Selmon Says:
Hey jackass, a lot of people suffer with depression, and we don’t appreciate being called head-cases. Depression isn’t a choice, it’s a medical and mental health condition.
Being an ignorant d!ck, however, is a choice. Congrats.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:38 pm
Depression is a liberal made up mental weakness and just another excuse for the weak to escape personal responsibility for thier actions…. toughen up buttercups hit life head on take responsibility and you wont need liberal crutches to justify weakness…. everything is not a disease nor does every emotion require a freaking pill.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:43 pm
GetOverIt
Toughen up buttercup….
April 28th, 2019 at 12:16 am
This maybe should have been one of those post you turned the comments off on Joe. Lots of making fun of the clinically depressed and immature Middle School gay comments! I’m not happy about drafting a kicker but these comments are not cool!
April 28th, 2019 at 4:34 am
Dealing with depression and coming out of it is not a story, that isnt special, Hundreds of millions of people in the country deal with being in a dark place at different times of their lives, for a myriad of reasons and circumstances. It is practicality part of the human experience. It has no translation to his draft value
April 28th, 2019 at 7:29 am
First openly Gay player in the NFL….this guy is a trailblazer!