EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Football fans understand when a player is forced to the sidelines with torn knee ligaments.
They grasp the severity of groin injuries, sports hernias and ruptured Achilles tendons.
Clinical depression?
Offensive lineman Shawn Andrews, a Pro Bowl performer for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 and 2007 who is making a comeback with the New York Giants, learned that many fans in the City of Brotherly Love could not empathize when he was given that diagnosis in 2008.
"I've been called everything in letters," he says. "Some of the stuff I'm even embarrassed to say. One said, 'The next time I read your name, I hope it's in an obituary.' "
Andrews recalled another fan who once asked for his autograph. The same person turned on him after he could not find it within himself to report to training camp in 2008. "You're a disgrace to the world," the man told him.
Andrews, 27, struggles to understand that response just as he once grappled with himself internally.
"We're human beings," he says. "Although some guys in this profession put up armor like 'Don't cry,' some of the guys who preach that are some of the most emotional guys behind closed doors.
"Some players came up to me and said, 'I went through the same thing. It just wasn't as public as what you went through.' "
Even as he starred at the University of Arkansas, prompting Philadelphia to take him in the first round of the 2004 draft (16th overall), Andrews could sense that all was not right with his world.
"I could see some signs even before I went pro," he says. "I didn't know what depression was. I just held a lot of things in. I didn't know who to talk to because I felt I'd get a biased opinion. So I just kept everything to myself.
"If you fill up like a balloon, it's going to bust -- boom!"
According to Andrews, he took anti-depressant medication for eight months. He said his first visit to a psychiatrist helped because the doctor encouraged him to unburden himself by telling him everything that was bothering him.
"It was a relief, man. It was such a relief," Andrews says. "I'll never forget it."
Andrews looks, and insists that he feels, like a new man. He battled to keep at a reasonable playing weight for much of his college career and his time with the Eagles. Although he says his weight reached as much as 390 pounds, he says he no longer drinks alcohol and is holding steady at 325 pounds.
He is showing no ill effects after having back surgery last December that was followed by extensive rehabilitation in Los Angeles.
New York general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin view Andrews as a worthwhile gamble.
"The quality of the football player that I remember from a couple of years ago is outstanding," Coughlin says.
The coach, concerned about the depth of his offensive line, met for 30 minutes with the veteran before the Giants signed him Aug. 20.
"He's just a pleasant young man to visit with," Coughlin says. "He does indicate to you the kind of desire that he has to get back in the game."
Andrews smiles easily and laughs often as he speaks of a support system of relatives and close friends that he lacked before. He says he is engaged to be married and points to a photo of his 2-year-old son, JaShawn, that is taped inside his locker.
"That's my pride and joy. He so smart. He's such a good athlete," he says. "He's a cool little fellow."
Coughlin understands how difficult a position Andrews is in because he was signed so late and must take a crash course on a Giants' offense that is very different from the Eagles' West Coast system.
"He's making good progress," Coughlin says. "A lot has to be learned. He's spending almost every waking minute studying."
Andrews admits that his lack of familiarity with the system is resulting in tentative play.
"When you are thinking on the run, it doesn't allow you to come off with everything you have," he says. "I'm a little apprehensive. 'Do I get this guy, or do I get this guy?' I don't want to get anybody hurt. I don't want to get my quarterback hurt, and I want to keep guys off my running backs."
Knowledge will come. Abundant athleticism has always been there.
"When I can go full speed, look out," Andrews says, laughing. "Look out!"
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