The weight of fame can be crushing, even for a superstar like Caitlin Clark. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has had her share of public scrutiny, but this past weekend, things took a terrifying turn. The Indianapolis police arrested a 55-year-old man from Texas on felony stalking charges, ending a harrowing ordeal for the 22-year-old Iowa native. While Clark’s ordeal has sparked conversations about safety and mental health, her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, has turned his attention to a deeply personal issue: advocating for his younger brother’s mental health journey.
Just a day after Clark’s stalker was apprehended, McCaffery shared a heartfelt message about his brother, Patrick McCaffery, who has faced his own battles. Patrick, now playing for the Butler Bulldogs, took a leave of absence from basketball in 2023 during his time with the Iowa Hawkeyes to address mental health struggles. His story recently gained renewed attention after Butler Basketball’s official X account shared a video chronicling his journey. Connor reposted the video, adding his own words of encouragement: “So proud of Patrick in every way This piece is really well done and it does a great job of shining a light on mental health. You’re never alone!”
The video not only highlighted Patrick’s perseverance but also revealed the unwavering support he received from his family, especially Connor. Reflecting on that difficult time, Connor shared in the clip, “Patrick and I have always been super tight. We’re very close in age. Whenever you talk to Patrick he’s always in that joking, kinda great mood. And I think during that year you kinda saw it go away.”
Patrick’s struggles weren’t new, but they reached a breaking point during his junior year at Iowa. He opened up about the toll it took on his basic well-being, including difficulties with eating and sleeping. Connor was instrumental in helping him take a crucial step back, even suggesting he take a break from basketball. “I told him, ‘No, you don’t have to play,'”Connor recalled, offering his brother the space to heal.
Patrick McCaffery’s battle and triumph: A story of strength and support
This was far from the first time Patrick had faced adversity. A cancer survivor, he had shown immense strength as a teenager. However, his mental health struggles in college were a different battle altogether. Even their father, Fran McCaffery-both Iowa’s coach and their biggest supporter-acknowledged how hard it was to see his son suffer. “He has struggled with this for a while,”Fran said in 2023. “His energy level wasn’t where it needed to be. We’re just trying to help him feel better.”
Patrick’s journey took a positive turn in May when he made a successful return to basketball, ultimately transferring to Butler for a fresh start. His comeback story, though personal, has resonated far beyond the court, shining a light on the importance of mental health in sports.
For Connor and Caitlin, the past week has been a whirlwind of challenges, but both have emerged as advocates for resilience. While Caitlin focuses on moving forward from a frightening chapter, Connor’s heartfelt support for his brother underscores a shared mission: showing that even in the hardest times, no one has to face the fight alone.
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