Florida State University Athletics
Family & Faith Drive James Tibbs Forward
10/12/2022 9:00:32 AM | Baseball
Last season, the Seminole baseball team fielded three true freshmen. Among them, outfielder James Tibbs III quickly established himself as one of the Noles’ most impactful bats. Specifically, Tibbs led the entire team with a .553 slugging percentage while ripping 10 long balls and driving in 32 runs in the process.
Consequently, the pressure is on in year two for Tibbs to build upon the rookie campaign that landed him Second Team Freshman All-American Honors from Perfect Game. That said, the Georgia native has dealt with and overcome much more practical, real-life hurdles before and became a better man because of it.
“I have struggled with anxiety and depression for about four years now,” Tibbs tweeted last year. “We are beautifully and wonderfully made, we all have our insecurities, our issues, our circumstances, but the fact remains true that we are walking along the path that Jesus has made for us to show people the Jesus that loves all of us so much for who we are.”
Despite the daily struggles, Tibbs turns to the faith administered early in his life as a reminder of the bigger picture. Furthermore, religion has guided Tibbs since a young age, but his faith is as strong and prevalent as ever. Along with his beliefs, Tibbs relies on baseball as a way to escape reality and the difficulties associated with it.
“At the end of the day, it was my faith that got me through it,” Tibbs said. “I still deal with it every day, I still struggle, but for me, being out here [on the diamond] is a getaway.”
On Monday, Florida State celebrated World Mental Health Day. Tibbs, as part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and a member of the mental health subcommittee, opened up in a video on Seminoles.com about his mental health journey:
Today we recognize .
Kaley Mudge of @FSU_Softball and James Tibbs of @FSUBaseball talked about their personal investment in mental health and the important role it plays #worldmentalhealthday | #onetribe pic.twitter.com/DsUGGpYIUG
— FSU Seminoles (@Seminoles) October 10, 2022
Competing at an elite Division I program can produce its share of anxiety, especially in a mentally-trying sport like baseball. Yet Tibbs finds pleasure in the struggle. Since he first picked up a ball at the age of four, baseball’s been his passion, and no mental barriers will tear down his young career.
In that sense, though, Tibbs is a committed leader of his community, hoping to break down the stigmas associated with speaking out.
“Look, I don’t have their [professional athletes] stage; I don’t have their thousands of followers,” Tibbs explained. “But I have me, I can share and impact the people around me, and that’s what matters. If I can impact my friends and family, that’s what matters to me.”