Can turf toe create anxiety?

Sitting here burning a ‘Special Blend’ incense, reading my book ‘The Good House’ with the LSU vs ole Miss playing in the background. Interestingly enough, this game sparked a quick thought -Joe Burrow and his unfortunate injury, turf toe.

Now, I know Joe plays in the NFL now, but while being at LSU I wonder if he had any injuries. Anything that occasionally hurts from his time playing at Death Valley in 2019.

When thinking about being a collegiate athlete at a prominent school like LSU, the pressure is intense. I can only imagine what expectations one has for themselves in that position.. worrying about performing your absolute best every time you step on the field and not disappointing your teammates, coaches, fellow students, family members and most of all.. yourself.  Anxiety can shout loudly at us if we’re not careful to address external and internal pressure.

So many athletes get hurt and I can only assume fear is at least a thought of any athlete performing with the stakes being so high ALL. THE. TIME. Now, if we mix anxiety and fear in the cauldron, what do we get? Pain. Pain that can become chronic.

An injury like turf toe seems minor, in comparison to a torn acl or blown out knee. But imagine the fear someone may feel just walking, let alone running. Doing a day to day activity that we don’t even think twice about.

*Ping* here comes anxiety about walking

*Ping* here comes subconscious fear of not being able to move the way you once could without thinking

We don’t typically think about these things being on the outskirts. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe Burrow did.