Brian Williams Says He Attempted Suicide Last Month

Orlando Magic forward Brian Williams, sidelined because of clinical depression, said he attempted suicide last month by taking an overdose of sleeping pills.

Williams said he didn’t know how many pills he took but that he didn’t need hospital treatment.

“The pills weren’t strong enough” to cause death, Williams told the Orlando Sentinel. “But I was pretty drugged up for the next day or so.”

Williams, 23, said he tried suicide because of his depression and that he decided to talk about the attempt as part of his healing process. He said he took the pills “to go to the end and back, or to go to the edge and turn around and come back.

“Well, I think that I have made that turn. I think (suicide) is behind me now.”

Williams, who has suffered from fainting spells in recent months, collapsed during practice two weeks ago. He has not played since. Monday, Orlando took him off its active roster because of his condition.

A Magic spokesman said he did not know whether team officials were aware of Williams’ suicide attempt.