David Wheeler Reflects on Football Retirement and New Career as Sport Psychologist
David Wheeler, a former professional footballer with 627 career appearances for clubs including Exeter and Wycombe, has decided to retire from football and pursue a career as a sport psychologist. He describes retirement from the sport as a transition akin to grief, involving loss of direction, belonging, purpose, and identity. Football had created a pattern of validation and achievement for him; leaving the sport requires grounding self-worth in domains beyond football.
Wheeler emphasizes the importance for players to build identities outside football, through relationships, hobbies, education, and professional development, to improve wellbeing and resilience. The shift out of professional sports includes resisting the impulse to push through pain and learning to listen to and care for one's body. He references Susan David's concept that courage is fear walking.
Growing up with a neurodiverse brother shaped Wheeler's early need for external validation through sporting achievement. He acknowledges the high prevalence of mental health difficulties among players post-retirement and admits he had underestimated his own vulnerability. As a sport psychologist, he intends to use therapy to help heal psychological wounds and support players and teams.
Wheeler values patience, care, and compassion within football culture and believes early preparation for post-playing life should not reduce a player's commitment to the game.
