Robbie Savage gets a lot of stick but there’s been nothing but kind words for the former Leicester, Birmingham and Derby midfielder after the incredible bravery he displayed in opening up about a subject that pains him to this day.
Savage, along with co-hosts Freddie Flintoff and Matthew Syed, was discussing the topic of mental health in sport following the concerning news about Aaron Lennon that emerged last week.
Concerns as Aaron Lennon detained under the Mental Health Act https://t.co/2QylASQFEW
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 2, 2017
The psychological strain on sports stars is not discussed openly or widely enough but Savage took the opportunity to speak frankly about how mental health affected his personal life.
Speaking on his BBC 5 Live Sport show at the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week, Savage held nothing back as he discussed the tragic death of his father, who had been suffering with Pick’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease before he passed away at the age of 63.
Savage broke down as he explained how difficult it was to visit his father, who was unable to recognise his own son, and the former Wales international insists that he still hasn’t forgiven himself for the fact that he was not at his father’s bedside when he died.
“My father had Alzheimer’s and Pick’s disease at 58, passed away at 63,” said Savage.
“My mother was his sole carer, she didn’t want to put him in a home because she couldn’t let him go.
“When he eventually did pass away, he died of pneumonia and it was horrible to witness a man with a mental disease look at you and look straight through you.
“The saving grace I had was sport.
“The last 17 weeks of his life, he was in hospital and you’d go every day. I was travelling to him with my mum and my brother.
An emotional @RobbieSavage8 on the death of his father from Pick's disease…#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Podcast: https://t.co/eUb0Wstoal pic.twitter.com/i4NbYtHuhg
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) May 8, 2017
“This might sound a bit harsh but there were times – and as much as I hate to say it and I might get criticised for it – you get in the car and thinking: ‘What’s the point? I’m going to get there and it’s my dad, he doesn’t have a clue who I am.’
“Every time I left I was in tears, thinking ‘That’s my dad and I’m not going to see him again.’
“I remember I was in the hospital and Football Focus came on the TV and he looked at me and it brought a little smile to his face. I knew he knew who I was at that moment.
“I’ve not told this to many people, but I’ll never forgive myself. The day he died I wasn’t there. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
Savage’s openness is something that today’s sportsmen and women should view as proof that talking helps, and hopefully this week encourages that.
Understandably, the midfielder was showered with praise for his honesty and bravery in discussing such a heart-wrenching subject live on air.
@5liveSport @BBCSport @RobbieSavage8 @RobbieSavage8 gets a lot of shit but had tears in my eyes listening to that. Well done for telling your story n heart goes out to you
— Robbie Auton (@RobbieAuton) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 Amazing how a short video can change a perception of someone, very moving Robbie
— TERRY RICHARDS (@richards874) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 I may not agree with everything he says as a pundit but enormous respect to the man for his honesty and his passion ?
— Cai Phillips (@CaiPh010393) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 much respect to you @RobbieSavage8 for your honesty there, can’t have been easy but these things need to be talked about
— ??????? (@Clarkey9) May 9, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 Amazingly honest, fantastically brave, don’t punish yourself Robbie, for once you’re not the bad guy
— Mark Jones (@markjones_welsh) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 Very emotional savage not afraid to show his emotions top top bloke
— Richard Bunce (@BunceRichard) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @flintoff11 @RobbieSavage8 Very brave Robbie. Think 1000s will completely understand your thoughts!!! Top show makes me laugh n cry!!!
— Rachael (@Rachael61090384) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @susannareid100 @RobbieSavage8 Very brave to share such raw memories. Radio at it’s most powerful and will hopefully help raise awareness of mental health problems.
— Andy Mellor (@Melvertron82) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 Well done Robbie for helping raise awareness,I lost my Gran to vascular dementia and some days I would dread going to see her.It’s so cruel
— Lisa Kennedy (@smoggies76) May 8, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 well done Robbie , I bet that was hard, but your broadcast could help so many on the same situation.
— mmjpotts (@mmjpotts) May 9, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 That smile at Football Focus from your dad is all you need to remember that period by.
Emotional stuff, fair play for talking about it.
— David Price (@just_anotherTKO) May 9, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 Well done @RobbieSavage8 great to see men show their emotions, I’m sure your dad was and still is hugely proud of you
— barry o kane (@barryokane1) May 9, 2017
@5liveSport @RobbieSavage8 What can I say only “I’m lost for words” very very moving and touching of the heart tears streamed down my face listening to @RobbieSavage8
— Mark (@MarkFerrie17) May 9, 2017
