Ahead of the New York Jets’ home opener, one tailgate is being dedicated to the foundation of defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), one of the tailgate organizers said it would be benefiting The Defensive Line, which is Thomas’s non-profit organization.
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Okay y'all, tomorrow's tailgate is going to benefit @SollyThomas90's non-profit @TDefensiveLine. Their mission is to end the epidemic of youth suicide. We will have QR codes to scan if you want to contribute additional funds to this amazing cause. 💚💚💚
— handsome animal (@noodletwoone) September 18, 2024
Thomas replied under the post, thanking the tailgate for donating to the cause he champions.
Thank you so much!!!
— Solomon Thomas (@SollyThomas90) September 18, 2024
Even before his time in New York, Thomas has been making a significant impact on others through his organization. Formed in the aftermath of the tragic passing of his sister, Ella, The Defensive Line aims to end youth suicide.
“Our mission is to end the epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental health.”
The organization makes an impact by focusing on four major goals, which are as follows:
- Educating adults about youth suicide and their unique opportunities for connection and support with the students in their care.
- Increasing language and conversation skills to talk about suicide and mental health.
- Creating safe places for young people to be honest and vulnerable with each other and the adults that serve them.
- Improving systemic approaches within schools to better prevent suicide and improve access to resources.
To achieve these goals, Thomas’s organization works to have others “share their personal experiences, teach suicide prevention knowledge and skills to adults, build support networks, and support leadership.”
Through its workshops, The Defensive Line has made an impact on the lives of others. The foundation’s official website reports that “93% of participants felt comfortable to very comfortable having a mental health conversation after the training” and that there was a “26% increase in a plan of action for suicide intervention.”
It is great to see a group of Jets fans support a tremendous cause, and it is also nice to see Thomas appreciate fans rallying behind his cause. Thomas has consistently proven to be one of the best people in the NFL, and it is a testament to his character when fans are actively supporting his charity.
If you are interested in donating to Thomas’s charity, the link can be found here.
