"Kyren Lacy: A Heartbreaking Tragedy"

*The following article contains strong suggestive dialogue. Viewer 
discretion is advised.* 

Hello and welcome to another series of mental health content. If you're 
new and scrolled across my journalism, I greatly appreciate it. Now that 
we've got that out in the open, May is "Mental Health Awareness Month" 
and I'm a strong advocate for improving the space of a misunderstood 
topic.

As the month starts, this piece is very tragic; filled with two families 
grieving. A potential NFL first round pick and college football player with 
aspirations of living his dream. The other family of a deceased loved 
one won't get to see justice prevail in the magnitude of this tragic turn of 
events. 
Former LSU football player and potential NFL day one pick Kyren Lacy 
battled the repercussions of a tragedy which took the life of an elderly 
man in 2025. Speeding on a Louisiana highway and illegally passing 
other drivers. Lacy left the scene without contacting local law 
enforcement or emergency services. 

From there, Lacy's NFL dreams were in doubt after turning himself in 
and becoming what teams would've said: "off the field issues, high risk 
player in return." Charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with 
death. Reckless driving and ignoring the state roadway laws. It was 
enough to burden; along with waiting the legal process out. 

Lacy's football dreams were shattered, and an afterthought as the 
burdens became heavier. Rather he'd be drafted or spend his life 
behind bars wouldn't be decided. A dark stigma of mental health 

lingered over him. Everything flashed before his eyes, living out his 
dreams of supporting his family. A young man was battling the stigma 
around mental health.

In early April, Lacy took his own life at the ripe age of 24 years old. A 
verbal argument with a family member which he discharged a firearm 
into the ground before leaving the scene. Fleeing from the police which 
went several miles, ended when the car crashed. He was found 
deceased in his car and took his own life by suicide with the firearm 
prior to crashing.

The family of their elderly loved one grieved in December 2024; waiting 
for the grand jury hearing to start two days before Lacy's tragedy. In a 
whirlwind of emotions, the loved ones likely have mixed feelings. I can't 
imagine what ran through their minds upon hearing the passing of Lacy. 
One way or another, it's a loss for everyone.

Both families are grieving and hurting either way in part of Lacy and the 
elderly loved one left here too soon. It's not easy to comprehend, and 
digest. A young man whose life left voids and an elderly man who was 
at the wrong place and time. No matter how you try to piece it together, 
both families have endured emotional heartbreaks. 

As I sit here in my office space, my heart aches in every way possible. 
Kyren Lacy was in the best years of life, and took it away due to battling 
inner demons of guilt. Not having a strong support system around 
possibly played a role. Avoiding admitting he needed help kept him 
afraid and scared of asking for help. The hyper masculinity creates toxic 
conditions for a lot of black men. 

In the era of social media and NIL, young athletes are burdened with 
supporting their families. Not being able to adjust and surround 

themselves with the best interest of trusted adults who genuinely care. 
As the late Christopher Wallace aka "The Notorious B.I.G." once said: 
"Mo money, mo problems." It's a sad story of "young and reckless" 
which came with tragedy. If Lacy had the right people around him during 
those dark moments, I believe he'd been alive today. 

It's difficult to create content when young athletes are involved. As 
someone who is a recovering patient myself, I see and feel both sides of 
this tragedy. There's not enough words that's already been said and
posted on social media. If you know of someone who needs counseling,
please help them seek the right resources. It's okay to not be okay and
that's fine in my book. We all need therapy to help heal the internal
issues.

In closing, please continue to take care of your mental health. Keep the
families of both deceased lifted in prayer.