Update 5:22 p.m. The Daily Collegian obtained a statement from Penn State head coach James Franklin on Joey Julius’ brave announcement: “We are very proud of Joe and fully support him as he deals with these personal matters,” Franklin said in the statement. “However, as is our policy, we do not discuss the medical affairs of our student-athletes. We ask for others to be supportive and respectful, as well!”

Penn State’s beloved kicker Joey Julius announced on Facebook early this morning that his struggle with an eating disorder is to blame for his absence from Penn State football from May through the summer.

“I have no one to thank except for Coach James Franklin and my training staff and doctors that stuck with me throughout this whole process. They all noticed that I was not myself and that I needed extensive care such as the program in St. Louis that I attended this summer,” Julius wrote in the post.

Judging by Beaver Stadium’s reaction every time Julius decks someone and the student section’s outrage when Minnesota’s Jaylen Waters gave him a cheap shot, there will be nothing but support surrounding him. In the face of stigma surrounding mental disorders and countless jokes about his weight, this is the bravest thing the nationally-regarded hard-hitter has done thus far.