He was Germany's number one. He loved the beautiful game. Enough to make him forget awhile his problems with depression. The man felt the need to hide his issues from his friends and showed an outer persona without problems but he felt it deeply, and it was deep enough that he was unable to pull himself out of his self made grave. There are so many things to love about football but there are downers too. This problem that Enke had was hidden away because he felt he would be discriminated among his peers. He was experiencing what each of us have felt at least once in our lifetime. And knowing how hard it strikes, it is not easy to experience it all by yourself. He was unable to cope and took his own life.
A tragic tale for a man with such a bright future ahead. I guess success can never really be measured by what you've accomplished, Enke was a successful man but it was the loss of his daughter and the potential loss of another that led him to his demise. Football can give you anything, but it can't give you everything. He was just coming home from training when he decided to commit suicide. Suicide, that ultimate act of giving up. I can imagine the temptation, that need to just end everything because life was getting too unbearable. It's a terrible feeling. And I hope that this issue is being addressed by people all around the world, not just by the football association.
Depression is a terrible virus that can never be cured alone.
A simple call for help is enough for people to lend a hand, a shoulder to cry on and ears to listen to.
On the field and out of it, love and friendship must be on hand, isn't it why they call it a beautiful game? It bonds people from all walks of life. That's the most special gift any sport can give.
