Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith, who publicly shared his severe struggle with OCD that derailed his previous season and nearly led him to suicide, is now leading a crucial initiative for mental healthcare reform in the NFL. Smith, who was placed on the non-football illness list last season due to his condition, aims to ensure players have quick, easy, and safe access to mental health support. Through his agent, Michael Perrett, Smith is working with the NFL Players Association to establish a network of union-affiliated mental-health clinicians in every NFL city, mirroring the existing workers' compensation attorney system. This initiative seeks to build trust by providing confidential support, directing players to specialists without team knowledge. Additionally, Smith is advocating for the NFL to revise injured reserve rules to include mental health issues, striving for mental and physical health to be viewed equivalently on rosters. His efforts are driven by empathy for tragedies like Marshawn Kneeland's death.