Senior linebacker Caleb Kelly joined five other panelists in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to talk about mental health in sports on Thursday night.
Just hours before the panel, it was announced Kelly had suffered a "lower-body" injury that will require surgery and is expected to be out some time. He spoke to The Daily following the event about the extent of his injury.
"I will have surgery," Kelly said when asked about the status of his injury. "But it depends on how quick I recover (on when I will return)."
Kelly, who was expected to start for the Sooners next season, has been a leading voice at OU on and off the field. That's why he was one of two Oklahoma athletes — joining softball's Nicole Mendes — chosen to be on Thursday's panel.
When asked about the importance of his mental health during a frustrating time such as suffering a severe injury, Kelly said he's just trying to remain positive.
"It can destroy a player. I've been playing tackle football since I was seven years old and now, I've got a setback. I've got to wait. I've got to watch other people play football where I feel like I should be the one out there," Kelly said. "It can demoralize a player, but with those resources and the mental health to get through it, it can be something positive to you. Knowing that you went through something just gives you another chip on your shoulder, that other piece of motivation and purpose that I've got something to prove."
Kelly's injury could prove devastating for the Sooners, who will need to fill his void as a player and as a leader.
