Brandon Brooks: 'The Film Is Constantly Playing In My Head'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Eagles guard Brandon Brooks publicly revealed that he called an "anxiety condition" on Wednesday.
Brooks, 27, has missed two of the last three games due to the condition that makes him physically ill. Brooks discussed his condition in-depth on the 94WIP In The Trenches show on Wednesday with Glen Macnow and Eagles insider Dave Spadaro.
"I'm going through an anxiety condition," Brooks said. "What it is, it's not nervousness or fear, it's just my obsession with the game. And it's OK to be obsessed, but if it's a healthy obsession.
Listen: Brandon Brooks on 'In The Trenches'
"I'm a perfectionist and anytime that I'm not perfect, in my head it's not good enough. And it kind of just wears on me from there. But for me, going forward getting help that I need, I'll be alright, I'll make it through. And really, I'll have to turn that volume down. Otherwise it's been how it's been, where I've gotten physically ill and have gotten sent to the hospital."
Brooks says he may feel ill on any day of the week, not just game days.
"I don't remember good plays, I only remember bad plays, plays that I should have done them right," he explained. "Things like that. The film is constantly playing in my head, even before I go to sleep. Just because I'm not watching the ipad doesn't mean I'm not watching the plays. I just gotta calm it down."
When he is playing, Brooks has been excellent for the Eagles this season. Pro Football Focus ranked Brooks as one of the top-25 offensive lineman in the NFL, before Week 14.
"My parents are perfectionist," Brooks explained. "I've always been this way. Whenever I do something I get obsessed with it and other than doing that, everything else stops for me."
Brooks says he had previously told his teammates about his condition, but finally wanted to get it out in the open.
"I'm human, I just look at it like, I'm sure I'm not the only one going through it," Brooks said. "I just wanted to get it out there. I mean, I was raised always to tell the truth. I'm gonna tell the truth, tell what's going on, good, bad, or indifferent. I'm dealing with it, I'll be OK, and life goes on."
The veteran guard signed a five-year deal worth $40 million with the Eagles last offseason. Brooks, a third round pick out of Miami University (Ohio), played his first four NFL seasons with the Houston Texans.
"I mean, I love the game. I love the Eagles organization. I love my teammates, it's been great here, love the fans, love the city, love going out there and competing on Sunday's. It's not fear, it's not nervousness. I've been doing this for five years at, I'd say, a pretty high level."
