Dr. Mindy Armstead says the harsher side of NFL fandom does not stop with the players who read it online.
The psychiatrist and wife of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead spoke to People for its WAG World series about the aggressive comments she sees around professional athletes and their families.
Mindy said fan reactions have become more intense in recent years and pointed to sports betting as one reason some people now respond to games as if players cost them money personally.
She said players still go home to spouses, children, parents and friends after the final whistle.
Mindy Armstead Said Fan Comments Reach Families
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Mindy told People that she understands fans care deeply about football, but she said some online comments go beyond normal frustration over a game.
She said criticism can reach the people around players, including children who may one day see how strangers spoke about their parent after a loss or a bad play.
People reported that Mindy also spoke about the risks and pressure connected to football, including her concern about the physical toll the sport can take on players.
She Has Seen the Highs and Lows of NFL Life Up Close
Arik spent nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. During his time in San Francisco, the 49ers lost two Super Bowls to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a separate People interview, Mindy said the aftermath of a Super Bowl loss was difficult for the family.
She also said parenthood helped keep perspective at home because their children still needed their father after the game, regardless of the result.
Mindy Is a Psychiatrist and Mental Health Advocate
People described Mindy as a dual-boarded psychiatrist and mental health advocate.
Her comments on fan behavior came from both her family life and her professional background. She told People that the emotional weight of public criticism can follow players and their loved ones away from the field.
Mindy said fans do not always think about the families behind the uniforms when they post comments after games.
The Armsteads Are Expecting Their Fourth Child
The interview comes as Mindy and Arik prepare to welcome another child.
People reported that the couple are expecting their fourth baby. They already share daughters Amiri and Ayla and son Audemar Kristian.
Mindy and Arik married in June 2020. People reported that their relationship began after Arik sent her a message on Instagram in 2015, when he was a rookie with the 49ers and she was in medical school.
The Couple Also Works Together Off the Field
Arik and Mindy founded the Armstead Academic Project in 2019. The organization says it works to help students access resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
The Jacksonville Jaguars list the Armstead Academic Project as supporting students from low-income families in Sacramento, the California Bay Area and Jacksonville.