27 year old ex-EFL player Jaden Brown reveals he has had an gambling addiction which took a toll on his career and mental health.
The former Tottenham, Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday, Lincoln and St Mirren defender bravely opened up on the addiction which has wrecked his relationships, derailed his career, left him feeling suicidal, and has apologised to loved ones.
Social media users were concerned by his worrying words, many sending their best wishes, sharing their own stories, but most hoped someone would check on him. Thankfully a friend said that Brown is safe and with his mum.
My friend spoke with him & he is safe with his mum💙 https://t.co/I2v1lEX0Fr
— Izzy Jay Brown (@izzyjaybrown) April 2, 2026
@jadenbrown89 wrote: “I’m not a bad person nor evil. I was doing so well for myself until I started gambling, it was an addiction I couldn’t stop! No matter how hard I tried.
“It ruined my career my relationship with people and the hardest thing about it all it was so hard to tell anyone about my addiction.
“It’s embarrassing to talk about the amounts I’ve lost or what I’d do or the extremes I’ll go to try make it back.
“I can honestly confirm that gambling addiction has to be the worst type of addiction.
“Writing this breaks my heart because I know how much it’s changed me. I know how much I’ve constantly let people down or inconvenienced people.
“I pray that anyone out there uses me has an example. Stay far away from the gambling. I wish I was man enough to speak to someone! Anyone! In more detail of what I’ve been going through due to gambling.
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me as I’ve said before anyone that has thoughts to gamble speak to someone.
“I loved life before gambling! I loved how happy I was I loved football, I always wanted to be around friends and family.
“You could feel my energy it was contagious I was just always smiling and about good vibes. Now I’m just a total different person.
“My family & friends I’m sorry! I’m sorry for the embarrassment and disappointment. I’m not & never have been struggling with life in general.
“I have felt suicidal because of gambling and the positions I’ve put myself in due to gambling and my time has come. Also check in on loved ones about their mental state. I’m sorry for everyone’s I’ve let down.”
I’m trying to find somebody who can get in touch with him as we speak
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) April 2, 2026
Just spoken to Jaden Brown this morning, and I’m glad to say that he’s safe and with his family.
He said it really meant a lot to hear how many people were looking out for him.
‘God bless the football community.’
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) April 3, 2026
Fans reacted 27 year old ex-EFL player Jaden Brown reveals a gambling addiction took toll on his career and mental health…
@AshFinney1: That Jaden Brown tweet is awful to read. Hope the lad is okay and gets the help he desperately needs. Fingers crossed someone can get in contact with him!
@finn_wawaw1234: Anyone who can maybe get in contact with him? Them last few lines are really worrying
@David_25: Jaden, if you’re reading this – We are so proud of you for opening up. It shows great courage and vulnerabilities to express you feelings mate. Talk to someone on here, anyone or even me. We need you. ❤️🙏
@philscraf: Thank goodness. Whilst very sad, there are wise words in his post. SPEAK WITH SOMEONE. Anyone. Do not face such angst alone. Things can be fixed and lives turned around. 💙
@LMWiddowson: Thank you. Let’s get him down to hillsborough when he is feeling up to it and show him some love. @swfc
@kempson_luke: I hope he can truly get the help he needs, life can turn around from addiction and this sounds really worrying I just hope he can get help and heal from this part of his life.
@jowitt_kerry: Hate seeing anything like this 🥹🥹💔 your life matters more than any loss, debt, or mistake! Debts get restructured. Lives get rebuilt. What feels like “ruin” now often turns out to be a chapter, not the ending. Hopefully he gets the help he needs ❤️
Gambling can harm many areas of your life. This can include problems with your:
relationships
physical and mental health
finances
If you’re not sure if gambling is causing problems for you… answer these questions:
Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a problem with gambling (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
Score 0 for each time you answer “never”
Score 1 for each time you answer “sometimes”
Score 2 for each time you answer “most of the time”
Score 3 for each time you answer “almost always”
If your total score is 8 or higher, you or those closest to you, are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harms.
If your total score is between 1 and 7, gambling might still be having a negative impact on your life.
There is support and treatment available if you need it.
NHS gambling treatment clinics
You can go to a specialist gambling treatment clinic in England.
They have a team of psychiatrists and psychologists who can:
treat you if gambling is causing you problems
support you with your recovery
provide therapy for any complex health needs you have related to gambling
support your family or friends if they need help
You can self-refer to a gambling clinic near you. Or you can ask a GP for information on services in your area.
Find out more about what’s offered and how to self-refer at:
NHS National Centre for Behavioural Addictions and the National Problem Gambling Clinic
NHS Northern Gambling Service website
NHS Southern Gambling Service website
NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic (WMGHC) website
NHS East Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic website
NHS East of England Gambling Service website
NHS South West Gambling Service website
Charities and support services
There are also charities and support groups that offer free, confidential support to people who are gambling, and their friends and family.
The National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare) – call 0808 8020 133 for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free information, support and counselling
GambleAware – the National Gambling Support Network service
Primary Care Gambling Service – a national service providing support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms
GamLearn – the Gambling Lived Experience and Recovery Network service
Gamblers Anonymous – a local support group service that uses the 12-step approach to recovery
Citizens Advice Bureau – a charity that can advise you on a range of issues, including finances and gambling
ChapterOne – a charity that can provide advice and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms
Things you can do to help with gambling-related harms
You’re advised to get support if you’re experiencing gambling-related harms. But there are other things you can also do to help.
Do:
sign up for GamStop – this stops you being able to use gambling websites and apps for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years
install Gamban – this blocks access to gambling websites and apps on your devices
ask your bank to block any money going to gambling websites and apps
pay important bills, such as your mortgage, on payday before you gamble – you can set up direct debits or standing orders for this
deal with your debts rather than ignoring them – visit the National Debtline for help
spend more time with family and friends who do not gamble
talk to someone you trust about what is happening
Don’t:
do not view gambling as a way to make money
do not take credit cards with you when you go gambling
If you’re affected by someone’s gambling
If another person’s gambling is affecting you, support is available from:
NHS gambling treatment clinics
GamAnon: meetings
GamFam: a lived experience support network
Gambling with Lives: support for people bereaved by gambling-related suicide
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