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The NBA's Kevin Love confronts anxiety in the machismo world of pro sports
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Mar 14, 2018
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The NBA's Kevin Love confronts anxiety in the machismo world of pro sports
Mental strength and "manliness" go hand in hand in professional sports, so admitting what some would say is a "weakness" can be rough.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19:  Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a 125-120 Cavaliers win at Staples Center on March 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a 125-120 Cavaliers win at Staples Center on March 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Harry How/Getty Images
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Mental strength and "manliness" go hand in hand in professional sports, so admitting what some would say is a "weakness" can be rough.

Most people would agree: everyone's going through something.

But for former UCLA Bruin and NBA star Kevin Love, that statement ignited a national conversation.

It's the title of a piece he wrote in the Players Tribune earlier this month, in which he admits he had a panic attack in the middle of a game last November.

Mental toughness and machismo go hand in hand in sports, so admitting what some would say is a "weakness" can be rough. But for Love and other elite athletes, the stigma of coming to terms with mental illness seems to have found a lot of understanding and sympathetic ears. 

Andy and Brian Kamenetzky joined A Martinez with more.