Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst is using the inspiration he gained in his personal journey with mental health in an effort to raise awareness around veteran suicide prevention.
Hurst has chosen to honor Face The Fight, a coalition founded by USAA with aspirations to cut the military veteran suicide rates by half and The Hayden Hurst Family Foundation, for this year’s NFL My Cause My Cleats campaign.
“Anything I can do to support the military, that’s what I plan on doing,” Hurst said.
To support the campaign, Hurst put service into action by meeting recently with two service members for an intimate conversation to share stories of their unique battles with mental health and their personal struggles with suicide.
In an Instagram post of the meeting, Hurst also detailed his own suicide attempt.
“For me, it was kind of my rock bottom moment,” Hurst said.
Army Reservist Melissa Lopez shared the impact her sister’s suicide had on their family.
“Seeing how it destroyed my family, I couldn’t do something to myself to harm myself and know that’s something my family would live through a second time,” she said.
Army veteran Vernard Hines said at one point he was 24 hours from taking his own life.
“I had planned it out,” he said.
Hines was spurred on to get help after his daughter told him she was afraid of him.
“When I came home from work, she didn’t know if she could come and play with me, say hi to me,” he continued. “It was just so much, I realized that I needed to seek help.”
When Hurst was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, he and his family began a foundation that focused on adolescent suicide prevention. Today, the Hayden Hurst Family Foundation helps youth, military, and others in need regarding their health, education, and wellness by funding facilities and programs through donations and fundraising events.
“It kind of transitioned to military suicide prevention as well,” he explained.
One of the cleats Hurst will wear Sunday in the Panther’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers honors Face The Fight, with dedications to Hines and Lopez. The other cleat honors the Hayden Hurst Family Foundation, with dedications to Hurst’s friends and family.
Other elements on the cleats include 988, the Suicide Prevention Hotline, and a brain symbolizing mental health. Designed by Marcus Rivero, Soles by Sir, one cleat has digital camo schemes and one cleat resembles a military boot.
“It is the most liberating feeling when you have people in your corner, when you know you’re not fighting by yourself,” Hurst said.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.