Dr. Lani Lawrence – NY Giants’s Success & Mental Health

As part of a more significant restructuring of the player engagement and development department, Lani Lawrence was hired by the Giants in July 2020.

But she came to public prominence last week when rookie head coach Brian Daboll said that Lawrence “does a wonderful job” instructing players how to deal with setbacks and move on to the next play minutes after a victory over the Ravens. The Giants (5-1) and their four comeback victories in the second half are known for their ability to handle adversity.

“Everything we do here is to try to help the players be the best versions of themselves, whether that’s nutrition, sports science or video,” Daboll said before Friday’s practice. “When she talks, the players listen. I might say to her, ‘What do you think we need based on how things are going this week?’ She’s out at practice, and she has a good pulse [of the team].”

According to players, Lawrence is available for private doctor-patient consultations, presents during selected team meetings, and addresses the team the night before each game. Players and their spouses have been urged to phone her whenever a team or personal issue develops while they are away from the facilities. To honour the various needs of each player, none of the sessions is compulsory.

What Do Players Say About Their Doctor Lani Lawrence

“She does a great job with the mental side of the game,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “When you are young, you are so focused on the physical aspects of the game. If you are here, you have the tools to be here, so the thing that separates you is the mental process and understanding of your technique and when to use certain things. She’s about controlling the things you can control.”

Adoree Jackson-“It puts your mind at ease and your body in a relaxed state instead of being too overcritical or overanalysing a situation that’s not even present,” Jackson said. “That’s great for athletes. Ninety per cent of the game is mental. In the height of the moment, with everything going on, your breathing might speed up. You are tired out there; take a couple of deep breaths, refocus.”

Nick Gates –“She teaches you ways to cope with what’s going on in your head, manage your thoughts and go about the day-to-day. A big part of meditation is being centred and bringing yourself back to the moment where you are.” 

Many, if not all, of the other teams that some well-travelled veterans played for had a psychologist on staff, but Lawrence is more present and involved with the Giants than is typical.

 

FOR MORE NFL UPDATES-

Kyler Murray & Kliff Kingsbury Heated Sideline Exchange: “We had a difference of opinion.”

Eagles’ Jason Kelce Take On Tom Brady Yelling At His O-line