Mason Fletcher reveals mental health struggles that led to surprise code switch
Mason Fletcher, son of Essendon great Dustin, has revealed how his mental health struggles led him to give footy away, with a switch to another code giving him a positive path for the future.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mason Fletcher says his switch to American Football helped him out of a dark space.
The 20-year-old was on the path to Essendon as a father-son selection before a serious back injury in 2018 derailed his draft season and left him questioning his AFL dream.
Fletcher, the son of Bombers’ 400-gamer Dustin, played as a 19-year-old with NAB League club Calder Cannons but conceded he was already planning his next move.
KENTUCKY: BERRY CARRIES ON FAMILY PUNTING TRADITION
LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL FOOTY NEWS HERE
SMOKIE: NEWMAN DETERMINED TO EARN SECOND CHANCE
After a conversation with schoolmate and Texas A&M punter Nik Constantinou, Fletcher got in touch with Nathan Chapman at Prokick.
A few months later he committed to the University of Cincinnati, where he’ll replace fellow Australian James Smith in 2021.
“I started a few months before the draft, I realised I didn’t want to go ahead with footy and wasn’t in a happy space,” Fletcher said.
“I got to Prokick just before November and by January I knew it was going to be Cincinnati and to have it official is really exciting.”
The 200cm defender had been named in Vic Metro’s squad in 2018 before suffering stress fractures in his lower back.
Fletcher struggled with his mental health as a result but is positive about his future after making the call to switch codes.
He is still deciding whether to study business or criminology.
“I probably lost my passion for footy then and wasn’t in a great space mentally, and I don’t think footy was helping,” he said.
“I had a dabble on the internet and learnt about Prokick.
Blessed to receive my offical scholarship offer from the University of Cincinatti ðŸ”´âš«ï¸ ðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡º #CinCityPride @GoBearcatsFB @CoachFick @Mason_BM #PROKICKAUSTRALIAN pic.twitter.com/irtDM5qjot
— Mason Fletcher (@MasonFletcher19) August 6, 2020
“It was an educated decision in the sense that I knew footy wasn’t making me happy and I had something that could offer me four years of college experience and a degree.
“Whether or not I make it as a professional or not, at least that’s the minimum I’m coming out with.”
There’s no doubt Fletcher has inherited his father’s booming kick.
Chapman, the former Brisbane and Hawthorn player, and fellow Prokick coach John Smith had no hesitation in nominating Fletcher when Cincinnati came calling for a new punter.
Smith has been a constant source of advice for Fletcher, while current Philadelphia punter Cam Johnston has also reached out.
“I FaceTime (James) a few times a week. He’s been unreal,” Fletcher said.
“My special teams coach and head coach at Cincinnati were actually at Ohio State when Cam Johnston was there.
“Cam’s said the special teams coach, Brian Mason, is very comfortable with you kicking what you want and he’ll build the punt team around you.”
Cincinnati finished on top of the American Athletic Conference’s east division last season but went down to Memphis in the championship game.
Smith was named second All-AAC punter and entering the 2020 season has the second best punt average in NCAA history.
Fletcher hopes to follow in the footsteps of Johnston and reach the NFL.
“I’d be lying if I said no,” he said.
“This is my chance of being a professional athlete, doing something I feel really comfortable and makes me happy.”