Bussin' With The Boys Robert Gallery Shares The Mental Toll Of Football & Healing After NFL Career With Raiders | Bussin'
Nov 18, 2025
Robert Gallery, a former No. 2 NFL Draft pick and Iowa standout, dives deep into his career with the Raiders and the mental health struggles that followed. He shares raw experiences from his NFL journey, including intense injuries and the pressure of expectations. Gallery candidly discusses hitting rock bottom, turning to psychedelics like ibogaine, and the transformative impact of these therapies on his mental health and relationships. His emphasis on advocacy and helping fellow athletes adds a powerful message of hope and resilience.
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Painkillers, Alcohol, And The 'Play-Through' Mindset
- Robert relied on heavy alcohol and painkillers at times to sleep and cope with injuries and surgeries.
- He describes these behaviors as extreme coping common among pro players trying to keep playing.
Retiring In Camp After Hitting The Wall
- Robert retired in training camp after realizing his body and mind couldn't meet NFL standards any longer.
- He explained he had wished to 'blow something out' rather than voluntarily quit, highlighting the mental toll of ending a career.
Rock Bottom, Scan, And Asking For Help
- Robert Gallery hit rock bottom and asked his wife for help after violent mood swings and suicidal ideation.
- A workers' comp brain SPECT scan showed severe damage and validated that his symptoms had a physical cause.