Leon’s Story

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The Striker Who Faced a Bigger Fight Off the Pitch

Leon McKenzie had the kind of career most lads dream of.

 

Born into a boxing family, he made his own name in football—breaking through at Crystal Palace aged just 17.

 

Over the years, he banged in goals for clubs like Fulham, Peterborough, Norwich, and Coventry. Fans loved him for his passion, his pace, and his no-nonsense style. On the surface, life looked golden.

But behind closed doors, Leon was struggling.

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In 2005, while playing in the Premier League with Norwich, he hit breaking point. Injuries, pressure, and the weight of expectation left him spiralling. That same year, he tried to take his own life. No headlines. No help. Just pain masked behind a matchday smile.

He kept playing. Kept going. Because that’s what men are told to do.

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When the boots came off, things didn’t get easier. Retired from football, Leon faced a battle far tougher than anything on the pitch: rebuilding his identity and fighting the depression that had haunted him for years.

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He fought back—literally. Turning to boxing, he became a professional fighter, channelling the pain into purpose. But it was when he started speaking out about mental health that his real comeback began.

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Leon now uses his voice to help others find theirs. He’s not just a former footballer or boxer—he’s living proof that talking saves lives.

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Now, as an ambassador for Say It Lad, Leon is leading the charge for change.

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Because he’s been there.

And he knows the power of saying it.