Jarren Duran had enough. The 2022 season was particularly challenging for the Red Sox outfielder, who faced struggles on the field and relentless criticism from fans. At one point, the weight of it all felt so heavy that he considered ending his life. This sobering moment highlighted the unseen battles athletes like Duran face, often behind closed doors.
Some fans seem to think that buying a ticket gives them the license to unleash abuse, but as Roy Kent said on Ted Lasso, athletes are people too. None of us truly understand what others are experiencing in their lives, but every player is a human being who deserves respect.
During the filming of the Red Sox docuseries The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox, Duran candidly opened up about his personal struggles during that dark period. Although he has emerged stronger, he credited the Netflix crew for fostering an environment where he felt safe to share his story. The docuseries and his statement were released simultaneously on Tuesday.
“Talking about this wasn’t easy, but it felt important,” Duran’s statement read. “I trusted the Netflix crew, and I knew that if I was going to share this, I had to be real about it. A few years ago, I found myself in a dark place, but I’m still here, and I’m so lucky I am. If my story can help even one person, then it was worth telling. Reaching out to those who feel alone motivated me to share. Right now, my focus is on the field as we chase a postseason, and that’s where my head is.”
“I’ve shared what I needed to, and I appreciate everyone’s understanding that my priority is baseball and helping my team win a World Series. I am grateful for the tremendous support I’ve received. If you’re struggling, please know there’s help available. You can call a friend, a trusted person, your doctor, or an organization like Samaritans. If you’re in immediate danger, please call 988.”
A statement from Jarren Duran on today’s Netflix release. pic.twitter.com/Pq5x4bjk3Y
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 8, 2025
When the docuseries premiered on Netflix, Duran explained his decision to share his painful experiences, including contemplating suicide. Content warning: The following excerpt from ESPN includes a graphic description of a suicide attempt.
“I was already hearing it from fans,” Duran recalled in the docuseries. “What they said seemed to echo what I told myself in the mirror. I was in a tough place, and I didn’t want to be here anymore.”
“… I reached a moment sitting in my room with my rifle and a bullet, and I pulled the trigger. The gun clicked, but didn’t fire. To this day, I believe God didn’t let me take my own life, and I took it as a sign that I’m still here for a reason. That’s when I began to reflect: Do I want to be here? This happened for a reason, so let’s live the way I want to live and play the way I want to play.”
Upon hearing about Duran’s statements, Red Sox manager Alex Cora responded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the pressures athletes face and the support they require. “We live in a tough world, and the pressure to perform at this level is unique,” Cora stated. “Nobody knows what a professional athlete endures better than their teammates and coaches. We experienced this through Jarren, and I’m grateful to work for the Boston Red Sox, where we take this matter very seriously.”
Alex Cora responds to Jarren Duran’s openness about his mental health struggles in the upcoming @netflix show The Clubhouse 🎙️ ⬇️
“We live in a tough world, and the pressure to perform at this level is unique… we lived it through Jarren… I’m glad that I work for the… pic.twitter.com/G7fqQzK9vl
— NESN (@NESN) April 7, 2025
While Cora humorously remarked that the team used the docuseries as a source of motivation, Duran’s decision to share his story is one of true bravery. He didn’t have to open up, but in doing so, he may empower someone else to persevere. In a sport that thrives on second chances — as Duran knows all too well — this may prove to be the most significant swing he’s ever taken.
