Woody Paige Opens Up About Suicide

Sometimes you forget that Woody Paige is one helluva columnist and more than just a talking head on ESPN’s Around The Horn.

Just three days after Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley committed suicide, the Denver Post columnist opened up about nearly killing himself in 2002:

I know an older man who eight years ago this month was committed to committing suicide.

Me.

The last, desperate, despondent, despicable act was all planned out. The Broncos were playing on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, against the 49ers. I would fly into San Francisco the day before, drive up to Napa Valley, enjoy a bottle of expensive red wine and check into a nice inn. The next morning I would head over to the coast and swim out in the Pacific Ocean far enough that I couldn’t make it back to the beach.

Paige goes on to describe how friend and broadcaster Gil Whiteley stepped in and made sure he got proper medical help. Paige later discovered that he was diabetic, which was the cause of his depression.

Do yourself a favor and take five minutes out of your day to read this column. It will give you more insight of people who suffer from depression.

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