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Today we are bringing you a special show and are extremely grateful to New York Jets Defensive Tackle, Solomon Thomas for opening up and sharing his story with the world on how tragedy struck his family and using that loss to help others work through depression, anxiety and understand mental health affects us all, no matter how strong we are.

As the 2017, number 3 overall NFL draft pick, Solomon entered the league filled with positive expectations and a path of promise with the 49ers when a year later, his beautiful sister took her own life after struggling with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Solomon courageously and emotionally shares how his sister struggled with certain sides of her mental health and how her life ending tragedy became a painful lesson and teaching tool for his life’s purpose beyond playing football.

Dealing with the aftermath and fighting through guilt while overcoming the stigma that being a NFL player makes him tough or not allowed to feel certain emotions, Solomon created a foundation and dedicated a large part of his life to helping others and being an advocate for mental health in his sister’s memory.

Relying on his NFL family to keep him grounded and football still being his number one passion, Solomon formed a special bond and turned to Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott who shared a similar family tragedy as him, and used the strength Dak portrayed to help guide him on his purpose outside of the NFL. Dak showed Solomon that it’s ok to not be on certain days and helped inspire him to turn his loss into faith for others who may be helped by hearing his story.

Although this conversation is a tough one to have, it’s an important one filled with vulnerability and accountability in overcoming certain life obstacles while maintaining the strength to accept the emotions associated with struggle.

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