Leon McKenzie features in episode 13 of Sky Sports' My Icon series
Wednesday 11 October 2017 16:37, UK
Leon McKenzie hopes overcoming his own mental health struggles gives other sportsmen and women the courage to speak up about their issues.
The Premier League-footballer-turned boxer had big boots to fill as the son of former British lightweight champion Clinton and nephew of three-weight world champion Duke.
His dad and uncle had celebrity-like status in Croydon, leading to envious children bullying Leon at school - "a bit like in Rocky V," Leon says.
But that didn't prevent McKenzie forging a successful career as a footballer, starting out with boyhood club Crystal Palace before spells at clubs including Norwich, Coventry, Charlton and Northampton.
It was as his football career was drawing to a close that his mental health severely deteriorated and in an emotional, must-see interview, McKenzie admits he is extremely fortunate to still be alive.
"I had some hard days, I had some tearful days and I am very lucky to be here because once upon a time I tried to take my life," he says in episode 13 of Sky Sports' My Icon series.
"Still to this day a lot of sportspeople are not willing to come forward. They are reluctant to be open because of what they think might happen. I want to change that and give them confidence to come forward and speak up because it's one of the best things I did."
McKenzie talks about his journey in the latest instalment of My Icon, which premieres on Thursday at 7am on Sky Sports Mix and is available On Demand. The episode is repeated on Thursday at 1pm, 6pm and 10pm.
Coinciding with Black History Month, Sky Sports' #MyIcon campaign brings you 31 exclusive interviews with top BAME sports personalities across the month of October. For more information, click here.
