Now, seemingly better, Haley is pregnant with her second child.
Highlights
- Haley Metellus, wife of Minnesota Vikings’ safety Josh Metellus, shared her journey through postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the birth of their son, Joshua, in 2021.
- The couple proactively sought professional help, including counseling, to navigate the challenging period. Haley made significant progress in her recovery seven months after Joshua’s birth.
- Josh Metellus participated in the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, dedicating his cleats to Haley and other women facing similar challenges.
Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus recently made headlines with his appearance during the Season 8 reunion of Netflix’s reality dating show, “Love Is Blind.”
In the episode, Metellus joined co-hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey to announce that the upcoming Season 9 will be set in Denver, Colorado.
Metellus quoted,
I want to thank you for coming to the Twin Cities. I’m excited to pass the ball to the next season.
9news.com
Josh And Haley Metellus Have Been Open About Their Battle With PPD and PTSD
Off the screen and the field, Metellus shares his life with his wife, Haley Metellus.
The couple welcomed their son, Joshua Syx Metellus, in 2021.
However, the joyous occasion was accompanied by challenges. Shortly after Joshua’s birth, Haley was diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Haley has faced anxiety and depression at various points in her life, and pregnancy intensified some of these concerns.
Despite a generally smooth pregnancy, labor brought unexpected difficulties.
When Joshua was about a month old, Haley’s diagnoses of PPD and PTSD were confirmed.
The couple proactively sought professional help, including counseling, to navigate this challenging period.
Seven months after Joshua’s birth, Haley made significant progress in her recovery.
In a gesture of support and to raise awareness about postpartum mental health, Josh Metellus participated in the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign.
He dedicated his cleats to Haley and other women facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of supporting women’s mental health.
Josh said in an interview,
Haley’s very on top of stuff like that, researching. She’s like, ‘You know, we could have postpartum [depression].’ And my mom has four kids … so [we understood the possibility], but we didn’t think it would happen to us.
vikings.com
Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them. But it did. We were prepared for it, I would say, at least a little bit
Despite her openness about her postpartum struggles, much of Haley’s personal and professional life remains private.
On Christmas 2024, Josh announced via an Instagram post that the pair was expecting another child. He captioned the post, “the more the merrier ♡.”
Josh Has Had An Illustrious Career In The NFL
Born on January 21, 1998, in North Miami Beach, Florida, Josh Metellus attended Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
He had a standout football career during high school, which led to his committing to the University of Michigan on June 17, 2015, despite offers from other schools like Colorado, Florida International, and Middle Tennessee State.
Metellus had a notable collegiate career at the University of Michigan, where he played from 2016 to 2019.
During his time with the Wolverines, he was named an All-Big Ten selection twice.
He saw action as a backup during his true freshman season and earned an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference during his sophomore season.
Metellus was named a team captain in his senior season and participated in the 2020 Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
Metellus was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Since joining the Vikings, he has been a versatile player, primarily listed as a safety.
Over his NFL career, he has accumulated impressive stats, including 283 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 16 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions, as of the 2024 season.
Josh and Haley Metellus’ openness about their experiences has shed light on postpartum mental health, encouraging others to seek help and support.
Their journey underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the strength found in unity and understanding.
Additional Information
- While at Michigan, Metellus played various positions, including outside linebacker, both safety spots, outside corner, and in the slot. His ability to adapt and play multiple positions made him a valuable asset to the team.
- At the NFL Combine 2020, Metellus showcased his athleticism by finishing in the top 10 of his position group in several drills. He tied for fourth in the bench press with 20 reps of 225 pounds, ranked sixth in the vertical jump with a performance of 36.5 inches, and tied for 10th in the broad jump with a mark of 10 feet, 4 inches.
