Charlie Wysocki is a former two-time All-American football player for the University of Maryland (UMD) in 1980 and 1981. A Heisman trophy candidate, Charlie has set records that remain untouchable. However, at the age of 22, his life took a drastic turn. Despite his immense talent, Charlie experienced restlessness and delirium, causing a baffling decline in his performance and leading to lost opportunities that had once been within his grasp.
After not being drafted in the 1982 NFL draft, Charlie spent the next 43 years in a seemingly never-ending war with Bipolar Disorder 1. During this time, he faced mistreatment, misunderstanding, and neglect. His mental illness, not recognized at the time, and therefore not treated, especially for a young African American male, stripped him of many opportunities. Today, Charlie opens up about his personal journey with mental illness, offering a powerful narrative that resonates with those who need to hear it. Our mission is to support him in raising awareness, through Charlie’s Huddle.
