Content material warning: This story incorporates references to suicide. Should you or somebody you already know is having ideas of suicide and desires assist now, name or textual content 988 or chat with the Suicide & Disaster Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
Earlier than Mack Hollins helped the New England Patriots win their eighth straight game with a 27-14 win over the New York Jets on Thursday evening, the extensive receiver had an essential message to ship.
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As Hollins arrived at Gillette Stadium, he entered the stadium carrying a white t-shirt with “988” written on the entrance and “You might be value it!” on the again. Each side additionally featured phrases similar to “alone,” “scared,” “sturdy,” “seen,” “liked,” “glad,” healed,” and “weak,” amongst others.
That cellphone quantity is for the Suicide & Disaster Lifeline and Hollins needed to ensure those that want to speak perceive it is okay to not be okay.
“I feel this subject, particularly as a male, can usually get pushed apart, can get brushed underneath the rug as not for males, not for powerful guys, not for, I assume, our gender, intercourse, no matter you need to name it,” Hollins said after the game. “Nevertheless it occurs greater than folks need to admit it occurs, whether or not it’s older males, youthful males, profitable males, poor males, wealthy males … it occurs to all males and it will get pushed underneath the rug an excessive amount of. And that’s to not say feminine suicide isn’t a factor as nicely.
“However I feel particularly this month of November, if I can carry consideration to one thing that’s taking place manner an excessive amount of — as a result of even one particular person committing suicide is an excessive amount of — then I’ll gladly stand behind it and attempt to carry consideration to it.
“And that is to not carry consideration away from anyone else or every other trigger that is occurring. That is simply in hopes that someone which will have had a tough night, says, ‘Hell, there’s some man within the NFL that that cares.’ Even when I do not know you, I care. And hopefully that may change any choices you considered making.”
Hollins’ style selection comes per week after Dallas Cowboys defensive finish Marshawn Kneeland reportedly died from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase.
Kneeland was the Cowboys’ second-round decide within the 2024 NFL Draft and had thus far tallied 26 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and one sack in 18 video games (4 begins). As police looked for him, his girlfriend reportedly advised them he had a historical past of psychological well being points.
Hollins added that the soccer atmosphere is not one which’s open to vulnerability with it being referred to as a “powerful man” sport and what folks see on the surface of gamers would not at all times match up with what’s taking place on the within.
“I feel that goes to what I used to be saying. It would not matter when you’re profitable otherwise you make performs or all people thinks that you simply’re in the perfect place on the earth. You don’t know what someone goes by in their very own, between their ears,” Hollins said. “Generally it is greater than, ‘Effectively, I checked in on him.’
“He’s in a locker room in a really alpha sport, the place saying, ‘Hey, I’m not doing alright’ can get checked out as you’re weak. Or I want powerful guys as teammates. And, sadly that’s been the historical past of males normally.
“However I feel to anyone who’s listening, extra males are prepared to listen to what you must say than you assume. That powerful man persona that all of us placed on, isn’t as actual when it really comes right down to it. And it’s unlucky to see someone lose their life. And also you by no means know why. You by no means know what was the set off or the straw that broke the camel’s again.”
Kneeland’s teammate, Solomon Thomas, spoke on Thursday in regards to the significance of psychological well being, saying, “Somebody might be smiling, somebody might be dancing, laughing, having a good time, expressing all this pleasure, however on the within, they might actually be combating a battle that you simply by no means learn about.”
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When the Cowboys resume play in Week 11, they will do so with helmet decals remembering Kneeland and they’ll additionally put on particular T-shirts honoring their teammate.
Together with a second of silence, the Cowboys will broadcast a tribute video for Kneeland earlier than their subsequent house sport on Nov. 23 towards the Philadelphia Eagles.
