Bills: Jordan Poyer accepts Mental Health Advocacy Award
"It's okay to ask for help" is Jordan Poyer's personal slogan. The All-Pro safety is a difference-maker on the football field. In fact, before the team's playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo was undefeated when Poyer was on the field for game day. Recently, the Buffalo Bills reached an agreement with Poyer to keep […]
"It's okay to ask for help" is Jordan Poyer's personal slogan.
The All-Pro safety is a difference-maker on the football field. In fact, before the team's playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo was undefeated when Poyer was on the field for game day.
Recently, the Buffalo Bills reached an agreement with Poyer to keep the safety with the team for the next few years. Despite rumors swirling of his departure and Poyer himself discussing the negatives of living in New York, Buffalo was able to retain one of the very best in the NFL.
What Jordan Poyer has been able to do on the football field is impressive. However, what he's been able to accomplish off the football field may be even greater.
Jordan Poyer opened up on his battle with alcoholism with an emotional piece published in The Players' Tribune. The talented safety gave an inside look at what his battle with alcohol addiction had looked like.
It's Poyer's openness on his mental health battles, on top of the tragedies that struck Buffalo this past year, that Poyer was awarded and accepted the Advocacy Award at the Mental Health Advocates Annual Dinner in Western New York.
Poyer winning this award further cements his legacy outside of the game of football. His life is forever changed in that he is no longer going to be viewed as just a football player, but a voice and advocate for something bigger than sports. Having players like Jordan Poyer is not only good for the NFL but for humanity as a whole.
Melinda DuBois, executive director for MHA, spoke on what Poyer has been able to accomplish and why he was deserving of the award. "He really is a role model for a lot of folks.” She continued, "…him publicly stating that he struggles with his own mental health is huge for our community.”
The event had about 400 guests and Poyer was not only an award recipient but a speaker at the event. Everything about the night was brought back to "inspiring change." Poyer, being a staple in the community and a top player on one of the very best teams in the NFL, has the platform to inspire change on a much larger scale.
While Poyer's battle with alcoholism will never be over, he's making the effort every day to get out of bed and fight. Poyer's impressive legacy on and off the football field is further cemented each and every day.
