The Defensive Line

05/08/2026

As we move into our 5 Year Celebration early next month, we are spending some time reflecting on just how far we’ve come. Take this photo from 2021– The Defensive Line began as a movement supported mainly by dear friends and family, like and , pictured here.

Now in 2026, we are equipping adults across the US, and are partnered with incredible organizations like NFL Total Wellness, , and so so many more. 🥹

05/07/2026

We are beyond thrilled to announce that The Defensive Line has received an Innovation Award from the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children's Mental Health!

Selected from more than 900 applicants, only seven nonprofits nationwide were chosen for their cutting-edge solutions to the youth mental health crisis. And we are one of them.

Our award-winning program? Su***de Prevention Workshops that train youth-serving adults—coaches, teachers, parents, mentors—to recognize mental health crises and strengthen response practices in schools and youth organizations. Because the adults closest to young people should be the ones best equipped to help them.

This grant, received on the anniversary of The Defensive Line’s 5th year, will allow us to expand our programming, participate in leadership training from industry experts, and connect with other transformative nonprofits in the space. It's a game-changer for our mission to end the youth su***de crisis by transforming how we communicate and connect around mental health.

Join us on this journey— we’re just getting started.

Learn more about the award here: morganstanley.com/alliance-awards

The Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards, an initiative focused on funding mental healthcare solutions for children and you...

05/04/2026

To every teacher who has ever been the reason a student felt seen, thank you.

You notice the quiet ones. You stay late. You remember birthdays. You hand out granola bars and kind words and second chances. You are often the first line of defense for a young person in crisis.

But here's what we need you to know this week:

You don't have to break yourself to hold others together.

Your mental health is not optional, and your rest is not a reward—it's a requirement. Please, this week and every week, offer yourself the same kindness you offer your students.

We appreciate you. We need you. And we want you to be okay, too.

05/03/2026

As the weather finally warms, we reflect on a cooler day a few weeks back when we visited the Branch to Hope Ranch for another fantastic youth event!

Part of this activity-packed day included a moment with TDL team member Ixchel, where she led the students through a somatic movement exercise, discussing moving the body to release tension and trapped emotions. Dancing is one way to do just that. 😉

We also had some impactful discussions and mental health activations with the teens, including writing affirmations for ourselves. Check out the last slide for an example. 🩵

05/01/2026

You are invited!

The Defensive Line is excited to present virtual Parent University on May 20th. Every parent and guardian should be able to access life-saving tools and resources to identify mental health crises and intervene. That's why we are making this TDL signature offering VIRTUAL, with the hope that even more adults can learn how to steward the mental health of the youth they care about.

Join us May 20th at 6pm CT for a live and interactive Parent University, hosted by our very own Chris and Martha Thomas. Registration is $5 here: https://bit.ly/429LJX3

04/29/2026

Join us June 6th for Solly’s annual FREE youth football camp! Registration is available at the link in our bio— spots are limited!!

04/27/2026

Mental health is mental health, no matter what age. We all have emotions, we all have fears, we all have physical bodies to care for. We all need support sometimes.

04/27/2026

Highlights from last year’s FREE youth football camp with and friends. 2026 registration is LIVE for students age 9-17, so sign up through the link below today!!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPOHiSDVcOyrHSbs7zd5i3vi0QIs6yiHIb0zuR2a1k7OkRKw/viewform

04/22/2026

It’s almost that time— Solly’s annual FREE football camp is just around the corner!🏈

Youth ages 9-17 are invited to join Solly and friends in Coppell on June 6th for a unique, hands-on experience. We won’t give away all the surprises just yet, but participants can expect competitive drills with expert feedback, skill-building exercises, lunch and sweet treats, and an unbelievable amount of encouragement and positivity! Register at the link below— spots are definitely limited!

forms.gle/JDz8nVxNfvZYAMFn6

04/21/2026

"I wish they would ask me how I'm doing."

04/17/2026

In our February panel, Culturally Responsive Care in a Time of Collective Trauma, our dear friend Autumn Lockwood spoke about her faith-integrated approach to gauge the mental wellness of the athletes she works with. Checking in on holistic wellness indicators including social, spiritual, and physical health can provide more accurate answers to the question, "are you doing okay?"