March 20, 2026, 6:38 p.m. ET
Former Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann explained his abrupt 2025 season departure was due to an undiagnosed bipolar disorder.Hausmann apologized to fans and teammates for his absence, stating he is now getting help and focusing on his health.He participated in Michigan’s pro day after declining an NFL combine invitation to better explain his mental health situation.The former team captain is now focused on returning to football and making himself better each day.
SI had a full interview on Thursday with former Michigan football linebacker Ernest Hausmann, explaining his abrupt departure from the maize and blue late in the 2025 season. Long story short, Hausmann was undiagnosed as bipolar at the time, and his mental health issues led to a lot of internal confusion on his part. He had quit the team, come back, and then quit again, with the intent of moving to Africa, before changing his mind with plans to join the military.
But now, he’s gotten the help he needs, and his focus is back on football.
On Friday, Hausmann worked out at Michigan’s pro day, and he spoke with the media after his workout for the NFL brass. Asked if he had a message for the fans, he made it quite simple.
“First, I want to say I’m sorry,” Hausmann said. “Even though I can’t control a lot of the situations that I did, but to not be on the field for the whole team, the teammates, it broke my heart. And I know that I let a lot of people down. I let the fans down, the whole community down. But just know that I’m doing everything I can to make myself better each day.”
Hausmann was a team captain in his senior year and has long been a fan favorite since joining the maize and blue following his career start at Nebraska. He led the team in tackles in 2024, but came in second in 2025, behind his linebacker brethren, Jimmy Rolder, who also left for the NFL draft this offseason.
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According to the SI article, Hausmann didn’t accept an invitation to the NFL scouting combine because he and his medical team decided it to be better to have more of an opportunity to explain his mental state openly, rather than in a quick, 15-minute burst in Indianapolis.