Phil Mickelson shares gambling addiction story to warn bettors during football season: 'I was so distracted'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Football season is in full swing, and LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson wants to make sure all fans are responsibly enjoying this time of year. 

For many fans, wagering on football, whether it’s through sportsbooks or fantasy leagues, is very common. Mickelson isn’t knocking those who want to enjoy the games with some bets, but he cautions those who may be taking it a step too far. 

Mickelson is a recovering gambling addict, and he shared a long, impactful post on X, formerly Twitter, urging bettors to be smart this football season. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Football season is in full swing, and LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson wants to make sure all fans are responsibly enjoying this time of year. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images/File)

"Most of you will enjoy this football season with moderation while having lots of fun and entertainment," Mickelson began. "The fantasy leagues will provide banter amongst friends and money won or lost betting won’t affect you. I [won't] be betting this year because I crossed the line of moderation and into addiction which isn’t any fun at all. The money wasn’t ever the issue since our financial security has never been threatened, but I was so distracted I wasn’t able to be present with the ones I love and caused a lot of harm."

"This lack of presence has been so hurtful. ‘You’re here but you’re not with us,’ is something I’ve been told often throughout my addiction," he continued. "It affected those I care about in ways I wasn’t aware or could fully understand. It’s like a hurricane is going on outside and I’m isolated in a shelter oblivious to what was happening. When I came out