Lindsey Vonn Couldn’t Agree More With Kevin Love’s Emotional Mental Health Confession After Retirement Scare

Kevin Love has been on an all-time meme run this season—his Instagram’s been a goldmine. From trolling Stephen A. Smith during his heated saga with LeBron James to dropping Training Day references featuring Jimmy Butler, the veteran forward’s feed has become must-see content. But his latest post struck a very different tone—and it hit home for a lot of people.

In a heartfelt message that many initially mistook for a retirement announcement, Love opened up about his mental health journey while launching a new campaign through the Kevin Love Fund. His words resonated deeply, even drawing a response from Lindsey Vonn.

“I thought my worth was tied to my stat line… It took hitting some of my lowest points to realize that I am more than my sport. I am a son. A father. A friend. A husband. A mental health advocate. A learner. A work in progress. And I am proud of all of it,” Love wrote. “That’s one of the reasons why I started the Kevin Love Fund — to help the next generation of athletes realize that their value doesn’t begin or end with the game.”

This wasn’t a goodbye. It was a statement of purpose—and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful plays happen off the court.

And Lindsey Vonn, one of his closest friends, found herself wholeheartedly agreeing to what the Heat veteran said. “I love this and couldn’t agree more. We are much more than what we do,” she wrote under his post. The skiing sensation and Love have been buddies for quite some time now. Earlier, they were spotted hanging out after a Cavs-Clippers game. And when Kevin’s dad, Stan Love passed away recently, Lindsey Vonn was one of the first to wish him well.

 

And she has every reason to relate to Kevin. After all, Lindsey dealt with issues in her own career. Last December, she returned to skiing after years at the age of 40. Before that, it was constant knee pain that even left her in tears and caused her to retire. It took a titanium knee replacement and 6 years for her to “feel amazing.” So, if anyone can speak to the trials of athletes outside of their sports, it’s Vonn!

To help athletes like Lindsey and himself is what Kevin Love aims to do. And to this end, he announced a new campaign through the Instagram post above.

Kevin Love announces the “More Than My Sport” campaign

It’s tough for athletes to look past their sport sometimes. Playing at an elite level, year after year, demands sacrifice. And it often leads to burnout and them losing sight of their own value beyond their athletic achievements. Kevin Love recently came to this realization himself. He wants to do something about it. And the “More Than My Sport” campaign is how.

“For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re launching our new More Than My Sport campaign to remind athletes: your identity is bigger than your work on the court or field,” he wrote in the post above. And to kick things off, he had a request to any athlete willing to participate. “So here’s my ask: take a moment this month to reflect. Record a video. Share your story. Complete the sentence: I am more than my sport…I am…,” Love urged.

Jan 5, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NBA Champion wants to show the younger generation of athletes a better way forward. He wants to show them that “they’re never just one thing.”! And he’s not alone in this — his close friend Lindsey is with him on this journey!

So, what many thought was a retirement post was actually the start of something beautiful. And more power to Kevin for taking the initiative!

The post Lindsey Vonn Couldn’t Agree More With Kevin Love’s Emotional Mental Health Confession After Retirement Scare appeared first on EssentiallySports.