Being a Division I athlete is often glamorized. Fans see NIL deals, highlight reels and young adults who appear to be in the prime of their lives.
But behind the scenes, there is a level of personal criticism that many people do not see. Mental health in sports is often overlooked as a result of that glamorization.
Trey Stewart, a former BYU basketball player, had a lot of experience navigating the realities of college athletics, including the pressure, expectations and outside voices that come with it. It also incorporates the perspective of fans, whose opinions help shape that environment, as well as his mother and sister, Malia and Denise Stewart, who witnessed his journey up close and offers insight into the person behind the jersey.
Trey’s basketball journey began at a young age, largely due to his father’s role as a coach.
“When Trey was 3, his dad would be teaching basketball classes and he would just be in there,” Denise said.
Despite how present basketball was in his life, it was never forced.
“We gave our kids a choice: we would either pay for AAU basketball with the goal of earning a scholarship, or we would cover their college if they chose not to play,” Denise said. “That way, they were fully committed to whichever path they decided.”
That decision mattered. It shifted basketball from something Trey was around to something he actively chose.
By his freshman year of high school, that choice became clear.
“When I got to my freshman year of high school, I decided to lock in on basketball and really try to get to college with it,” Trey said.
After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Trey officially joined the BYU basketball team.
At BYU, Trey quickly learned that being a student athlete came with more than just the game itself.
“My coaches at BYU helped me a lot, not just as a player but as a person,” he said. “I owe a lot of credit to them.”
But outside of that support, there was another side to the experience, one shaped by attention and scrutiny beyond the game.
College athletes exist in a space where fans feel connected to them without actually knowing them, often developing a parasocial relationship. That sense of closeness can blur boundaries, making it easier to critique and judge without considering the person on the receiving end.
“People forget that you’re a person,” Trey said. “At the end of the day, you’re just someone trying your best.”
That disconnect can change how athletes are seen and treated. What feels like a simple comment from the outside can carry more weight than people realize.
Before social media, criticism was mostly confined to the sidelines. Now, it exists online, constant, immediate and often anonymous.
“With social media, it’s so easy to make comments about athletes and their game while hiding behind a page,” sports fan Alex Ricketson said. “After watching a game, it’s natural to pick up my phone and comment on how they played.”
Over time, that kind of environment forces athletes to develop a different mindset, learning how to filter what they hear and focus on what matters.
“As much power as you give someone to build you up, that’s as much power you give them to tear you down,” Trey said.
“As a parent, it’s hard to watch your kids go through this,” Denise said.
For fans, those same moments often look different from the outside.
“When you’re invested in a team, it becomes easy to comment on players,” BYU super fan Enow Mpey said. “But I don’t know them personally, I only know them as a player.”
Trey recalls a stretch in his college career when he was benched for nearly a month. While sitting out was difficult, the challenge extended beyond the court.
“I got benched for a month, and people were questioning my character,” he said.
That moment highlights how quickly narratives can shift, turning a basketball decision into a judgment of a person’s character based on limited information.
That reality reflects a larger tension in college athletics. The same passion that fuels support can also contribute to pressure.
“Well, it’s part of the game,” Mpey said. “As a college athlete, you’re a public figure, and it comes with it.”
While that perspective holds some truth, it can also contribute to the dehumanization of athletes.
Being an athlete already comes with significant pressure, balancing academics, training and travel. Adding constant public opinion only amplifies that weight.
Over time, that environment can blur the line between support and scrutiny, where athletes are seen more for what they produce than who they are.
“We are just people like everyone else, but others don’t see that,” Trey said.
Despite the challenges, there were also moments that reflected the support surrounding him. Denise recalls one during his senior night that stayed with her.
“During that game, Trey barely played, and it was hard not to get emotional knowing how much work he had put in,” she said. “But when his name was finally called, the crowd erupted, and the support was undeniable.”
Through this trial, Trey’s consistency and work ethic stood out, becoming an example to those closest to him.
“One of my favorite memories of Trey is how hard he worked, no matter the situation,” said his sister, Malia Stewart. “That never changed.”
Trey’s experience is not unique. Many athletes navigate similar pressures throughout their careers.
When asked what advice he would give to a young athlete facing that same scrutiny, he kept it simple.
“All you can do is get 1% better each day. Anything outside of that is beyond your control,” he said.
Looking back, Trey recognizes the impact those experiences had on him.
“I’m grateful I went to BYU,” he said. “It taught me a lot about myself, and I learned what I needed to learn from it.
“BYU helped me figure out what I actually believe. I had my beliefs challenged, and now I know where I stand.”
Stories like Trey’s are not uncommon. If anything, they are more common than people realize. They serve as a reminder to look beyond the performance and recognize the person behind it.
Fans may see jersey numbers and statistics, but behind each performance is someone navigating life, pressure and expectations, often just trying their best.