Brian O'Driscoll leads the cast for BT Sport Films' latest documentary on Friday night, After the Roar.
Irish former soccer player Richie Sadlier is among the supporting cast, alongside Gareth Southgate, AP McCoy, Anthony Agogo, and former Leinster coach Michael Cheika.
The documentary promises to be a riveting and emotional watch, as Brian O'Driscoll and co. explore the impact of retirement on professional sportspeople.
Brian O'Driscoll documentary to focus on former athletes' mental health
The trailer for the documentary arrived this week, with the programme set to air on Friday evening at 10pm on BT Sport 1.
When you're at the top, you don't think to look down.
With insight from Gareth Southgate, AP McCoy and others, @BrianODriscoll explores the repercussions of retiring from elite sport on men’s mental health.
🎞 After The Roar | Friday, 10pm | BT Sport 1pic.twitter.com/qYL8Gc8dmw— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 7, 2022
The trailer for the documentary opens with Brian O'Driscoll and Richie Sadlier in conversation, with O'Driscoll giving an insight into the impact retirement had on his wellbeing:
The reason I'm here is to talk about the aftermath and rediscovery of yourself after you finish doing something that you've loved, and trying to find satisfaction in the next realm of life, whatever that might entail.
It's very hard when you've had such highs as I had when I was a player and then trying to find something to mimic it or even get close is a real challenge.
The documentary will explore the impact of retirement on professional sportspeople, with O'Driscoll saying, "when the crowd stops roaring, the silence can be deafening."
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Richie Sadlier has taken up psychotherapy since retiring as a footballer, and the documentary will open with his one-to-one chat with O'Driscoll. Irish sports fans will certainly be intrigued to see these two have such a meaningful conversation. Sadlier himself has spoken in the past about the importance of athletes' mental health.
The BT Sport press release on the documentary notes the high suicide rates for men under 50 in the UK and Ireland, and the stigma surrounding conversations on the topic. The documentary therefore is timely.
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The array of sportspeople assembled is impressive. Alongside Brian O'Driscoll and Richie Sadlier, the documentary will feature rugby coach Michael Cheika, England football manager Gareth Southgate, and legendary jockey AP McCoy among others.
This will not be the first BT Sport documentary with Brian O'Driscoll as its frontman. 2018's acclaimed Shoulder to Shoulder explored the history of rugby on the island of Ireland, the effects of sectarianism on rugby, and vice versa.
It's set to be a riveting watch.
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