By Kerry Gallagher
In a raw account for The Players’ Tribune, New England Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte shared a story every parent should read. Titled “How The Hell Did I Get Here???“, Boutte describes a descent into a gambling addiction that cost him $90,000 and nearly his NFL career.
Boutte’s journey began following a season-ending injury at LSU. For elite athletes, the “high” of the game creates a powerful psychological craving for adrenaline. Without the field, Boutte used betting apps to “get that feeling back.” He describes the phone as a “casino with no windows,” where 24/7 access and digital interfaces make money feel “not even real.”
Warning Signs for Parents: According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s youth toolkit, parents should watch for:
- Preoccupation: Constant checking of scores or betting lines.
- Mood Swings: Unusual irritability or “insomnia” tied to game outcomes.
- Financial Shifts: Unexplained requests for money or missing household cash.
- Withdrawal: Excessive time spent on phones in secret or isolating to place bets.
- Chasing: An obsession with “getting even” after a loss.
The competitive drive we praise in our children can be a liability when targeted by predatory gambling algorithms. Boutte reminds us: “The sad part is, they weren’t thinking. They were going through something.”
Massachusetts Resources:
- Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-327-5050
- GameSenseMA.com: Practical tools for talking to kids about betting risks.
MassGaming.com: Information on the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program for wagering apps.