Former Seahawks Lineman Thanks Seattle for Helping Him Survive His Darkest Battle
Seattle, WA — October 2025
Robert Gallery once entered the NFL as a future cornerstone — the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft and a dominant force at Iowa. But today, the former Seattle Seahawks lineman is reflecting on a different kind of victory: staying alive.
Gallery played only one season in Seattle in 2011, his career derailed by injuries and surgeries that eventually pushed him into early retirement. But the real struggle didn’t begin until football was gone.
In a candid reflection this week, Gallery revealed he endured years of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, and uncontrollable rage as he searched for identity beyond the sport.
“I was completely lost,”
Gallery said. “I battled depression, I drank too much, I could not control my emotions. I felt like I had nothing left. I even thought about ending it all on my motorcycle.”
As his mental state spiraled, he isolated himself from teammates and friends. He admits there were moments he did not expect to survive.
The turning point came when he opened up to his wife and finally sought professional help — but he says he never would have been able to afford the care he needed without support from one NFL organization in particular.
“My wife saved my life. But I want people to know that the Seahawks helped save me too,” Gallery said. “They helped cover treatment that allowed me to get control again. I’m still here because I wasn’t left alone.”
While Gallery says he has made major progress — sober for years, mentally stable, and finally at peace — he acknowledges that the NFL dream is officially behind him.
“I’ve overcome the worst of it,” Gallery added. “But I can’t go back to the league. That dream is gone. Now my job is to stay healthy and help others do the same.”
Gallery now works to support former athletes coping with post-football trauma, sharing his story publicly to encourage conversations about mental health — a topic long overshadowed in NFL culture.
He knows his name will always carry the label of a draft bust. But for the first time in years, he has something more important than a second chance at football.
He has a life he wants to live.
Cowboys WR George Pickens Holds Out After Eagles Loss, Demands Contract Extension Over Injury Concerns
Dallas, TX – September 13, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys face another storm after their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wide receiver
Sources confirm Pickens won’t participate in practices or games until progress is made on a new contract. His primary concern is avoiding injury while playing on an undervalued rookie deal set to expire soon.
The warning signs were already there in Week 1. Observers noted Pickens making what they called “business decisions” — moments where he avoided full-contact plays, a telltale sign of a player protecting himself in a contract year.
George Pickens was already making some business decisions... in a contract year... in Week 1...#Steelers #Cowboys #NFLKickoff pic.twitter.com/x9UYiBiLIu
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) September 5, 2025
Dallas brought him in from the Steelers to complement CeeDee Lamb, not to replace him. But now, with Pickens stepping back, the pressure on Brandin Cooks and the rest of the receiving corps only grows.
Pickens’ contract currently pays him far below the market value of top wideouts. After watching stars across the league land mega extensions, the 24-year-old believes it’s time the Cowboys commit to him.
“I can’t risk my career without security,” a source close to Pickens said. “He wants to play. He wants to win. But until he’s protected, he’s not stepping back on the field.”
The Cowboys, already reeling from a division-opening loss, now find themselves with another headache. Dak Prescott loses his physical, contested-catch option, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer faces a reshuffled passing attack.
Jerry Jones has dealt with high-profile contract disputes before, but whether he caves this time could define the Cowboys’ season. For Pickens, the stance is clear: until he’s paid, he’s protecting his future first.
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