Why was Mike Winchell so depressed?

pressure...plus trying to get a schlorship and care for his sick mother, but getting a schlorship he'll be leaving his sick mother alone.... double edge sword

Just a shy stressed kid who happened to be good at football. I liked him better because he defied that cocky quarterback stereotype.

The book goes into more detail about his nature: he was more perpetually insecure and worried. Mike's dad died when Mike as kid and Mike was kind of poor besides having to help his mom.

Like one of the coaches said in the movie "He's more of an internal"

He may not be smiling on the outside but he probably is on the inside.
It's alot of pressure.
I used to be like that. I'm not the type to jump up and start whooping and hollering. I played basketball and even when on a few occassions I scored the winning basket I didn't jump up like everyone else and start smiling until I knew for sure the game was over and that my team had won. Usually a minute or so after the game I start accepting the game is done and I just scored the winning bucket.
Personality thing I guess.

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