Rhys Bennett Urges Openness About Grief Following FatherS Death, Champions Mental Wellbeing
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A young footballer is speaking candidly about navigating profound loss and the importance of checking in on others, even when they appear to be thriving.
Rhys Bennett, a 22-year-old defender who once captained Manchester United’s youth team to FA Youth Cup glory, has opened up about the devastating impact of his father, David’s, death earlier this year. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Bennett shared his journey thru grief, emphasizing the need to break down stigmas surrounding mental health, especially for men. He also discussed finding purpose and positivity amidst immense pain, and his plans for the future of his footballing career.
Confronting Unimaginable Loss
“I can never feel like I did that day when I found out,” Bennett confessed, reflecting on the initial shock of learning about his father’s passing. He described the first few days as the most tough he’d ever experienced, despite not identifying as an outwardly emotional person. However,a sense of peace came with realizing his father wouldn’t want him to dwell on the sadness.
“I think he wouldn’t want me to be sad for too long,” he explained. “He’d want me to get on with it and live my life to the fullest.” He acknowledged the crucial role his support network played in helping him navigate the initial stages of grief. “I would not be where I am today without him and my family,” he stated. “It’s impossible at six, seven, eight years old to drive yourself to training… You have to rely on them to get you through that part.”
The tragedy has fundamentally altered his outlook on life, fostering gratitude and humility. “You become more grateful and you become more humble, and stuff that you might have looked down your nose at… it kind of rises up to your eye level and you think you’ve got to be grateful for what you have,” he shared. He is actively focused on extracting positivity from the situation, recognizing that dwelling on negativity would be detrimental to his future.
The Power of Connection and Open Dialogue
Bennett underscored the importance of proactively checking in on others, nonetheless of their outward circumstances. “Even if someone’s having the best time of their life and everything’s going well… it’s still checking in on them because you don’t want it to just become a point where it’s like, only when things are going wrong, ‘are you okay?'”
He highlighted the power of simply initiating a conversation about feelings, particularly in environments like football where a “brave face” is often expected. “You don’t realize just having a conversation about how you feel and not having that stigma around it especially with men,” he said. He stressed that seeking help is never a sign of weakness and that there is “no age limit” on when someone can reach out for support or therapy.
Bennett recalled learning that his father was unaware of the depth of love and care surrounding him, emphasizing that even seemingly small connections can have a profound impact. “You don’t realise you have people that you meet once or people that you meet a million times…” he reflected.
Looking Ahead: Football, DJing, and a Broadened Horizon
Bennett expressed gratitude for the support he’s received from his club, allowing him to return to training quickly after his father’s death, while also recognizing the importance of prioritizing his wellbeing. Currently recovering from an injury, he’s exploring new passions, including DJing, to broaden his horizons and maintain a positive focus.
“You look at things with a bit of a different outlook on life…football isn’t my whole identity,” he explained. He hopes to return to play on loan in January, acknowledging that while a part of him will always be missing, he is committed to carrying on and pursuing his dreams – goals he believes his father would have wanted him to achieve.
Bennett concluded with a powerful message about the ongoing nature of grief: “What I’m saying is just as six months have passed,we’re still going to talk about our feelings and not act like that’s done and that’s behind us. There’s never any time limit on it.”
Rhys Bennett was speaking while supporting the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign. If you need support – please contact Samaritans anytime on 116 123.