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Solomon Thomas
New York Jets DT, Co-Founder & Board Chair of The Defensive Line Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
New York Jets DT, Co-Founder & Board Chair of The Defensive Line Solomon Thomas
Biography
Solomon Thomas has played in the NFL for six seasons as a Defensive Lineman and is Co-Founder and Board Chair of The Defensive Line. Drafted as the # 3 overall player in the 2017 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, he played 7 seasons for the Niners including Super Bowl LIV.
His defensive skills have taken him to the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Jets where he was their nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Off the field, Solomon has dedicated his life to sharing Ella’s story and has worked with a myriad of nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and secure funds for mental health and suicide prevention work.
His courage to vulnerably share his experience through national media outlets like CNN, ESPN, The New York Times, and NFL Network have established him as a respected advocate in the field. Most recently, Solomon participated in the announcement of the new 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline in a national campaign, served on a panel for Paramount+ Global, and continues to work with the NFL to improve mental health programming in the league.
Solomon has been an impactful keynote speaker and panel member at events for American Foundation Suicide Prevention Gala, Mental Health America, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, NFLPA Super Bowl Players Summit, Kick the Stigma, Bring Change 2 Mind, and USC Annenberg Summit. He has also been the recipient of the 2019 AFSP Lifesaver Award with his parents Martha and Chris, Solomon has a passion for working with young football players from middle schoolers to collegiate athletes.
When not on the field – Solomon is known for his love of Star Wars, great food, and his two pups!
Speaker Videos
Soloman Thomas and the Defensive Line
Solomon Thomas Second Annual Football Camp
Speech Topics
Mental Health
Solomon’s vision is to end the epidemic in youth suicide. He wants a world where no young person of color dies by suicide. His mission, especially for people of color is to transform the way we communicate and connect about mental health.
It includes vulnerable storytelling with lived experiences of mental health, suicide to share messages of hope. Advocacy that seeks to reduce stigma and open the conversation by talking openly and honestly about what these internal experiences feel like we take away the shame and therefore take away stigma that keeps people silent in their suffering.
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