On the surface, some folks might think that the only thing that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas have in common is a heck of a lot of pressure to succeed on the playing field. But behind the scenes, their personal lives are also pretty similar. They both went to college (Dak – Mississippi State University) and (Solomon – Stanford University); they’re both single and they both come from multi-racial families.
Unfortunately, Dak and Solomon share something else — the impact that suicide and depression have had on them and their families.
For Dak, it was his older 31-year-old brother Jace Prescott’s suicide in 2020; for Solomon, it was his sister Ella Thomas at the age of 24 in 2017. In both cases, the loss of their siblings resulted in Dak’s and Solomon’s dealing with their own battle with depression.
As a result, each man created a foundation to educate about suicide in order to prevent it. Dak established the Faith Fight Finish Foundation; Solomon and his family created The Defensive Line.
In addition to their own personal efforts, Dak and Solomon have partnered publicly to shine a light on the issue. Just last April Dak reported at the Metrocare Services’ “Meal For The Mind Luncheon” that he and Solomon were working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in creating a National Suicide Prevention Hotline “988” for suicide prevention which went live this past July 16.
Now, Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 14th Annual Beacon of Hope Luncheon will bring Dak and Solomon together for a very open and frank conversation moderated by CBS 11 Sports Anchor Andy Adler.
Luncheon Co-Chairs Jeanie and Bert Conly and their family have arranged for the luncheon to take place on Tuesday, March 7, at the Omni Dallas Hotel with proceeds supporting Grant Halliburton’s mission to “strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and help prevent suicide.”
Sponsorships and tickets are available here. Of course, sponsorships definitely have perks. So, if your budget can afford it, splurge for Visionary Sponsorship Level or above that includes invitations to an “exclusive meet and greet with Dak and Solomon.”
* Graphic courtesy of Grant Halliburton Foundation
Mar Butler says
I’m proud to Support this initiative to Raise awareness and Speak on the Issues Mental Health.
As a Black Man who knows that this topic is sensitive and hardly encouraging, to see the guest speakers Dak Prescott and Solomon Thomas take a Step Forward, is liberating.
Thank You Grant Halliburton Foundation