**‘We Still Have a Long Way to Go’: Solomon Thomas Leading the NFL’s Mental Health Initiative** Family tragedy has driven New York Jets linebacker Solomon Thomas to become a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. In a recent game, the Buffalo Bills secured a late field goal against the Jets, resulting in a 2-4 record for New York and significantly dampening their hopes of clinching the AFC East title. Despite the setback, Thomas maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of perspective in the face of challenges. Though he is a successful athlete and a multimillionaire, Thomas has faced his share of adversity. Born seven weeks premature and weighing just four pounds, he has since transformed into one of the top linebackers in the country during his two seasons at Stanford. After forgoing his final year of college to enter the NFL Draft in 2017, he was selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers, a testament to his exceptional talent. However, his journey has not been without hardship; he missed the entire 2020 season due to an ACL injury and was later released by the 49ers. Yet, the loss of a year in his career pales in comparison to the grief of losing his sister. Thomas's experiences have fueled his commitment to mental health advocacy, highlighting the need for greater awareness and support within the NFL and beyond.