05/29/2026
Operation Awareness was created to honor two members of our Crew we lost to su***de.
This is more than a programāitās a promise: they will not be forgotten.
Today, we remember Michael Larson.
Michael was a force of light in every room he entered.
A war hero who served his country in Iraq.
A championship football coach shaping young lives at Wendell Phillips Academy.
A fierce competitor, from his earliest days all the way through his time as a tight end at Illinois State University.
But his impact went far beyond titles.
He was a devoted big brother to Corey and Ashley.
A mentor and role model to countless students and players.
A charismatic, unforgettable friend to hundreds across the country and around the world.
And above it allāhe was a man deeply in love with his wife, Charity.
That connection, that bond, was the center of everything.
Tragically, Michaelās life was cut short due to his battle with CTE and PTSD, wounds carried from the sacrifices he made while serving his country.
But hereās the truth:
Death only wins if someone is forgotten.
And Michael Larson will never be forgotten.
Not because of how he diedābut because of how powerfully he lived.
His legacy lives on in every life he touched, every player he mentored, every friend who still carries his energy forward.
And now, through Operation Awareness, we carry that mission with him.
Mental health impacts everyone.
Silence is where stigma growsābut conversation is where healing begins.
We all have a role to play.
Check in. Speak up. Listen.
If you or someone you know needs support, Foundation 2 Crisis Services is here to help 24/7:
š Call or text 988
š Or call 319-362-2174
One conversation can change everything. Start it.
