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Charles Haley opens up on bipolar disorder, endorses Dak Prescott

Andrew Weber / USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame linebacker Charles Haley cultivated a reputation as one of his era's most combustible players, but since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2002, is trying to overcome the stigma of mental illness.

The five-time Pro Bowler first starred for the San Francisco 49ers from 1986-1991, before clashes with head coach George Seifert and other temperament issues forced a trade to the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Haley recently said he likely would have stayed with the 49ers, had he been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the time.

"Yes, I do believe that. If I had truly listened to those that know better, some of the psychiatrists, even George Seifert, I think that I would (have stayed) there," Haley said in an interview with The MMQB's Kalyn Kahler.

"He wanted me to be a leader and I didn’t want that role. I liked the role of an antagonist, just prodding people to excellence. I hate weak men and I always try to stick my foot in their butt and twist. There is only one goal in life and that is to win."

Haley blamed the NFLPA for not giving players proper treatment for pain and mental illness:

The commissioner should be about healing instead of punishing. But you know what, I love the commissioner. The problem is the players' union. They don't have an agreement to make guys go to dual diagnosis centers, where they can get diagnosed for mental illness or drug abuse. They should not ever send them to one place just for drug addiction. They need to send them to a dual diagnosis center and allow people to treat them. I have players that I have sent and then they come back to me and say, My doctor wants me to take medicine, what do you think? It's crazy, dumb things like that that drive me absolutely nuts. I took you there to get help and then you are going to ask me if you should take the medicine? That's where we're at.

The Hall of Famer also endorsed current Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, saying he should remain the starter, even once Tony Romo returns from injury:

Dak is the face of the Dallas Cowboys. He has shown that under pressure playing against the best teams, not only can he play a high level, but he can win. Tony has a plate in his shoulder and cracked vertebrae, so he needs time to heal instead of trying to run back and take back the job that he no longer has. All he is doing by coming back is putting a lot of pressure on Dak, because then Dak will be thinking, If I throw an interception, they will put me out of the game. So he stops thinking about being successful on the field and starts thinking about mistakes and getting pulled out. It's a hard decision, I love Romo and I love Dak. That's over my pay grade. Jerry, Stephen and Jason have to make that decision.

Haley is the only player in NFL history to win five Super Bowls - two with the 49ers and three with the Cowboys.

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