In brief: Kennedy: Jackson dealing with ‘deep depression’

Chicago – U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is in a “deep” depression and has “a lot of work” ahead of him on the road to recovery, former Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy said Thursday after visiting the hospitalized Chicago Democrat.

Jackson has been on a secretive medical leave since June 10, when family members said he collapsed at their home in Washington. He is currently being treated for bipolar disorder at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. But neither his office nor family members have said much about his medical condition.

The visit from Kennedy – who has suffered with bipolar disorder and been treated at Mayo – gave one of the first outside glimpses of Jackson’s health.

“I don’t think people understand the depth of his depression. It’s deep. He has a lot of work to continue to do to be able to learn how to treat this illness in the most effective way possible,” Kennedy said. “Depression is a serious thing, and I’m glad that he’s taking it seriously.”

Boy, 12, deemed too big for peewee football

Mesquite, Texas – A suburban Dallas boy has been barred from playing peewee football because the league says he is just too big at nearly 300 pounds.

Mesquite Pee Wee Football Association President Ronnie Henderson said the rules are clear and 12-year-old Elijah Earnheart is not eligible. The 6-foot-1-inch boy exceeds the 135-pound limit for seventh-graders, and he got the bad news last Sunday when the league held its official weigh-in.

Cindy Earnheart, the boy’s mother, said she was incensed and Elijah was humiliated.

“They would not even let him weigh in on the scales like every single boy out there,” she said. “He might be the size of a grown man but he’s 12 years old and he has feelings, too.”

Elijah, who describes himself as a “gentle giant” and dreams of someday playing pro football, said the turn of events was unfair.

“I’m not sad, I’m mad that I don’t get to play,” Elijah said.

Henderson said three other boys were turned away that day because of safety concerns for other players.

“We’ve got little boys that play against him that are 85, 95 and 100 pounds,” Henderson said. “We have to look out for all the kids, not just him.”