Neil ‘Nobby’ Clarke was never a superstar of Australian Rules football, that’s not what he wanted to be. He just wanted to play football with his mates, and with those mates, he went to the pinnacle of the game. Twice – in 1984 and 1985.
However, on the inside, he struggled with depression, eventually taking his own life in 2003.
Nobby was never my favourite player, but Essendon fans loved him, because he loved the club, and played his heart out for the club.
He may be gone, but he is not forgotten.
With the recent RU OK? Day, dealing with depression – (particularly in helping people around us who we might not know are struggling in their lives) – has been very much in focus.
Check on the family and friends you haven’t heard from in a while.
They may just need you.