NFL Players watch playoff with D.C. military 2011

(Left to right) U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Chief Petty Officer Kyle Herbert of College Park, Md., Petty Officer 3rd Class Petty Officer Leila Farzam, sea cadet, of Bethesda, Md., Navy Capt. John Sears of Alexandria, Va.,

Former NFL players Ken Harvey (Washington Redskins and Arizona Cardinals linebacker), Mark Washington (Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots cornerback) and Eric Hipple (Detroit Lions quarterback ), Navy Lt. Kwasi Sneed and former NFL player Ricky Ervins (San Francisco 49ers running back) enjoy a laugh while watching the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears NFL playoff game at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.. During the game, the players mingled with sailors, airmen, soldiers, Coast Guardsmen and Marines. During halftime, the players told the crowd that NFL players experience stress and depression at times during their careers, as well as while transitioning from the NFL to a post-NFL lifestyle. “Reaching out for help and talking about talking about the feelings is a sign of strength, not one of weakness,” said Hipple. “The NFL Players Association partnered with the Department of Defense Real Warriors Campaign and JBAB to encourage military and civilian personnel to seek assistance for depression, stress and other psychological situations just as they seek medical assistance for physical injuries,” Sears, JBAB commanding officer, said.