Career and work
O’Neil played college football at Northern Arizona University, where he was a two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection and earned All-America honors as a senior. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 and spent two seasons with the team. [2]
He joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and played through the 2006 season, finishing his NFL career as a member of the Colts team that won Super Bowl XLI. Across 52 NFL games, O’Neil recorded 72 tackles. [2]
What has been publicly discussed
- O’Neil was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder after his NFL career, following a severe manic episode in which he experienced psychosis. He has said that the diagnosis initially meant little to him because he was focused on becoming stable, but that over time it helped explain experiences he had struggled to understand during his playing years. [1][3]
- O’Neil has described severe anxiety and prolonged insomnia during his NFL career. During his rookie training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, he said he went five nights without sleep. He described the pressure of making the squad as worsening his anxiety, and said sleep deprivation began affecting his memory even as he continued playing. [4]
- O’Neil has said that finding effective treatment after his diagnosis took time. He later described a medication regimen including lithium, oxcarbazepine and aripiprazole as having made “all the difference in the world.” [5]
- O’Neil has said that after finding treatment that worked for him, he became healthy and stable. He has described himself as content living with bipolar disorder and has said that it is possible to live a healthy life while receiving appropriate help. [3]
- O’Neil founded the 4th and Forever Foundation to raise awareness of mental illness and support mental-health research. He has given speeches around the country about bipolar disorder, stigma and asking for help. [5][3]
- He has said that one of his main goals is to show that people with mental illness can still be successful and can live healthy lives with appropriate treatment and support. [3]
“Football taught me to compete against others but also to compete against myself. That has helped me tremendously in battling my bipolar illness.”
— Keith O’Neil [6]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Apple BooksUnder My Helmet: A Football Player’s Lifelong Battle with Bipolar Disorder Publisher description identifying O’Neil’s diagnosis as bipolar I disorder.
Northern Arizona University“Super Bowl Memories: Keith O’Neil” Official university profile covering his college and NFL careers.
NFL“Where Are They Now? — Keith O’Neil” First-person interview covering his diagnosis, treatment, stability and advocacy.
View all 6 sources
VICE“What It’s Like to Have Bipolar Disorder in the NFL” Interview covering anxiety, severe insomnia and the pressure of playing in the NFL.
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation 2015 Annual Report Documents O’Neil’s bipolar I disorder, medication regimen and advocacy work.
NAMI New York State“NAMI-NYS E-Newsletter” Contains O’Neil’s quotation about football and bipolar disorder.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Keith O’Neil and their experiences.