The Defensive Line

You made it another year. We are proud of you. 🌈 🫶

Flashback to a night that changed everything. 🎭✨

In 2024, we gathered at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas for our very first gala in the area—and you showed up in ways we never imagined.

A couple hundred strong. Corporations and individuals standing shoulder to shoulder. Unprecedented support that didn't just fill a room—it fueled a movement.

That night helped us launch our initial investment in Dallas ISD schools and build awareness programs across the state of Texas. It was the spark that let us go bigger, reach further, and plant deeper roots in the communities that needed us most.

Looking back at these photos, we see more than a beautiful venue and smiling faces. We see the moment our Dallas family said, "We're in."

Thank you to everyone who made that night possible. You set something in motion that is still growing. 💛

"The best part of the retreat." 💙

Last week, Chris and Martha Thomas spoke with around 120 members of the TIAA Financial family at their team retreat. They shared Ella's story, opened their hearts, and met a room full of people who needed to feel seen.

The feedback came pouring in:

"More than a handful of team members have family members who died by su***de."
"The transparency and vulnerability of the conversation meant everything."
"My team will be forever positively impacted by what you shared."

This is why we do this work. Not for applause—but for the person who finally feels less alone. For the colleague who hears a story that mirrors their own. For the team that leaves more equipped to talk about the hardest thing.

Thank you, , for creating space for this conversation. And thank you to every person who showed up with an open heart.

As we continue reflecting on defining moments from our first five years as an organization, we remember the 2023 Beacon of Hope Luncheon — a sold-out event led by Grant Halliburton Foundation, one of Dallas’ premier nonprofit organizations dedicated to mental health and su***de prevention.

It marked the first time two influential voices in mental health advocacy — Dak Prescott and our very own Solly — were recognized together for their significant contributions to increasing awareness around su***de prevention and encouraging honest conversations about mental health.

According to President Kevin Hall, it was the largest Beacon of Hope Luncheon to date — a powerful reminder of how important it is to ask for help, to check in with one another, and to genuinely ask: “How are you really doing?”

A milestone moment we’ll never forget! 💙

Behind every life is a “defensive line” - the people, moments, conversations and acts of care that help carry us through our hardest seasons.

Our 5 Year Anniversary celebration will feature an intimate fireside conversation bringing together athletes, advocates, survivors, and families for an honest dialogue about mental health, grief, healing, identity and the power of community support. Through deeply personal stories and reflections, we will explore what it means to ask for help, show up for others, and create spaces where people feel seen before they reach a breaking point.

At its core, this conversation is about one powerful truth: No one survives alone.

Join the Thomas family for this powerful evening of impact. RSVP here by May 29th: https://bit.ly/4crSfgG

5 Years of Impact: An Evening with The Defensive Line

This Wednesday. One hour could change everything. 💚

Parents, guardians, coaches, mentors—this one is for YOU.

Join us this Wednesday, May 20th at 6pm CT for Virtual Parent University, where Chris and Martha Thomas share their family's story and equip you with practical tools to support the mental health of the young people you love.

You'll learn:
- How to recognize warning signs of a mental health crisis
- What to say when you're not sure if something is wrong
- A clear, actionable plan to support your family

Wednesday, May 20th
Virtual | $5

This is not a lecture. This is a lifeline.

Register here:
https://bit.ly/429LJX3

Big news. Bigger gratitude. And VIP spots are almost gone. 🏆

We are thrilled to announce our first wave of sponsors for 5 Years of Impact: An Evening with The Defensive Line on June 5th in Dallas.

Presenting Sponsors: The Linda and Scott Davis Family of Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management (David/Yost Group) & the Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation

Team Captain Sponsors: Champion Charities & The Murphy Family

Thank you for believing in this mission and helping us celebrate five years of saving young lives.

Want to join them? Sponsorships are still available at a variety of levels. Email [email protected] to learn more.

VIP spots are almost sold out! If you just want to attend, grab your ticket now before they're gone.

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4wujcJN