NFL star opens up
A mental health counselor has commended New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for sharing his experience of gambling addiction with the US public.
How the hell did I get here???”
Boutte published an essay Wednesday on The Players’ Tribune entitled “How the hell did I get here???” It detailed his struggles with gamling addiction.
The ex-Louisiana State University (LSU) star hopes his gambling addiction case study will help others with similar issues. Specialist problem sports betting counselor Gregory Bacos said Boutte’s article was very important for anybody affected by gambling addiction, because of the NFL star’s fame.
Bacos said Boutte was letting other people know gambling addiction was “very prevalent, and something not to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.”
The Patriot said he “fell in love with gambling” at LSU and got addicted while he was sidelined with injuries.
Straight talk
Boutte, who has scored six touchdowns for the Pats this season, wrote on the Tribune that his gambling addiction cost him $90,000 and almost burned his bridge to the NFL when his “past came back on me.”
“I had to deal with the gambling stuff resurfacing. I got arrested for gambling underage while I was at LSU, and before the charges got dismissed, they cuffed me and everything.”
Boutte said betting would always exist and while he didn’t want to preach, he described gambling as a way out of a tunnel. “People who are in a dark place, they’re gonna use [betting] to escape. Athletes, especially. I’m telling you, because I lived it. That’s how I damn near ruined my life.”
in an empty casino sitting alone at a poker table
Boutte described his experience of mobile betting as like being in an empty casino sitting alone at a poker table: “Adding more money to the account, and more money, and more money, with the press of a couple buttons. You lose touch with reality. It gets to a point where it feels like the money ain’t even real.”
Bacos stated that on some people, gambling can have effects similar to drugs. “If you’re struggling with depression or anxiety, you get a rush of placing a bet that will distract you for a little while.”
Ready to rumble
The mental health counselor stated that given statistics that show online searches linked to gambling addiction assistance have increased 23% since sports betting became legal, Boute’s testimony is vital.
Boutte credits his New England franchise for giving him a chance despite his gambling past to put him in position to compete in the playoffs.
we about to have a playoff game in Foxborough for the first time in six years”
“Life’s good now,” he stated. “Man, we about to have a playoff game in Foxborough for the first time in six years. Last time that happened, I was still in high school!!!”
Boutte’s Patriots face the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round on Sunday night. ESPN Bet analyst Bill Barnwell predicted a 21-13 Patriots victory over the Chargers, with average sportsbook odds making the Pats -200 favorites over LA’s +165.
