It's Not a Stigma": Russell Wilson & Bill Cowher Take Strong Stand on Mental Health After Eagles Legend's Retirement

Bill Cowher and Russell Wilson used Lane Johnson’s NFL retirement to push back against the stigma around mental health. Speaking on NFL on CBS after Johnson announced he was stepping away, Cowher praised the Philadelphia Eagles legend’s transparency and said every NFL building has clinicians, so seeking help should not be “a problem.” Cowher also noted how hard it can be for elite players to judge when to walk away. Wilson, after 14 NFL seasons and Super Bowl wins, said the toughest transition comes when a player has been at the top, and emphasized keeping family central. Johnson, 36, retired on October 6, citing both mental health focus and shifting personal and family priorities. The decision drew broad support, though ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith faced backlash over comments and later apologized.