Tristan Wirfs Reflects On His “Nightmares,” Counseling Sessions
February 17th, 2025
Bucs superstar Tristan Wirfs.
As Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs eloquently said last week, “I was going through some sh*t.”
It’s been documented that Wirfs had a lot of anxiety when the Bucs asked him to move from right tackle to left tackle after the 2022 season.
Wirfs has said he sought help from the team psychologist, but he went deeper into what was happening during his sitdown with The Pivot podcast.
“I’m harder on myself than anybody. So it’s like, I was having these nightmares,” Wirfs explained. “I was like, ‘I’m not going to be good enough.’ Like I remember having nightmares giving up sacks, like clean, strip-sacks to end the game. There were nightmares where I couldn’t take a pass [protection] set. Just stupid stuff. And I’m like, ‘What am I doing?'”
Overall, Wirfs said he was “freakin’ out” and dealing with stress tied to not being good enough and high expectations.
He said his counseling was all about processes to “replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts.”
Interestingly, Wirfs’ anxiety returned when it came time to extend his contract last summer. The deal was being worked early in training camp and Wirfs was sitting out practice — and again freaking out.
Wirfs said he got professional help again. The same doctor, per Wirfs, explained to him that “nobody’s worth that much money,” referring to his pending new contract, but that’s the market so he is worth it and must accept it.
“Getting over that fear of not living up to that [contract]” is what Wirfs said he worked on, and he still feels that pressure of high expectations today.
Simply stated. Wirfs cares a lot. And it’s a beautiful thing.
Joe can relate to debilitating Bucs nightmares. It’s known around here as The Lost Decade of Buccaneers football. May it rest in peace.
February 17th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
I think that some fans forget about how much pressure these athletes have to go through…. Pro sports can be a very stressful thing for athletes, It’s a business not a hobby at this level
February 17th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
The expectations are so high and causes debilitating thoughts and feelings of you are not worthy. It affects alot of people. Tristan sought help by addressing it head on.
Addressing it head on is the remedy.
February 17th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Well at least this time he wasn’t telling us how he adapted his bathroom habits to wiping away his daily routine.
February 17th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
Que the internet all tough guys in 3,2,1…..
February 17th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Invested, he is.
February 17th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Appreciate your comments Allen and TB
February 17th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
Don’t tell UClodhopper,
He’ll say Tristan’s a Puxxy.
Not to his face or anything.
Good on Wirfs for speaking up.
February 17th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
Beast with the heart of a champion.
February 17th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
We are so lucky to have this guy lead our line. A true leader with thr greatest attitude. One of my al time favorite Bucs especially when it comes to offensive lineman! I always enjoy listening to his interviews. He always has a positive attitude. Spirit of a young kid in a grown man’s body!
February 17th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
“I was like, ‘I’m not going to be good enough.’ Like I remember having nightmares giving up sacks, like clean, strip-sacks to end the game. There were nightmares where I couldn’t take a pass [protection] set. Just stupid stuff.
——-
Not particularly unusual especially for those that strive to be the best all the time. Creating internalized self doubt. Sometimes called “imposter syndrome”. Everyone telling them that they are the best sometimes creates an inner fear or self doubt that they have do everything possible to live up to this accolades. Fear of failure.
February 17th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
“Beast with the heart of a champion” got knocked back by Algo? Wow.
February 18th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Smart man, good role model, and a great football player too. I am glad that he is here!
February 18th, 2025 at 5:13 am
I think there may be lots of champions who have that kind of “anxiety” Joe. I hear these guys say that they hate to lose at anything. Checkers, tiddly winks you name it. One of the things that makes winners tick? Motivation comes from the inside on some folks.
Go Bucs!
February 18th, 2025 at 5:40 am
The man paid money for this advice! Does it look like it worked? DUH
I’ve paid money for this advice and have 77 years of real life experience to try it out. It WORKS! Here is the money line from decades of actual life experience.
He said his counseling was all about processes to “replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts.”
This is why I get triggered by the nattering nabobs of negativity who frequent this place. I would say they know who they are but I’m honestly not sure.
Social scientists claim that as a group we have 80% negative thoughts 20% positive. I hope you do not fall into that “average” group. You can choose to flip that to 80% positive 20% negative.
Thinking Todd needs better clock management or needs to name a DC is not negative thinking. It’s an opinion based on observation.
Saying he suckks is not only negative it’s not factual if you go by actual RESULTS! Using moronic, juvenile nicknames like misspelling his name to show that one letter change…Bowels…and turn his name into a slur is not just negative it’s juvenile. Is that who you are? Really?
I’m going to switch on my positive mode and have hope for ALL of you even the Cro Magnons amongst you. Even the Cro Magnon man evolved over the centuries so there’s still hope for you. Humor helps defuse negativity!
February 18th, 2025 at 7:37 am
“Joe can relate to debilitating Bucs nightmares.”
Like, If the Buccaneers had drafted Johnny Manzel, Joe???
Wirfs having issues over his actual play in the NFL after a position move, and the total compensation of his new contract. Very good things to be concerned about as an NFL player. Not how soon can you get to Cabo/Bahamas, after the season ends. An elite player worried about his actual play on the field, another great draft choice Mr. Licht, Thank you.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
February 18th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Good for Tristan honestly talking about the quiet stuff out loud. I guarantee there are many players being moved around and worrying about their contracts while keeping it buried inside. Not a healthy thing to do. Wirfs openness will help others to take the extra step to seek counsel. I have so much respect for him.