WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas has been selected as the Week 12 NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Community MVP after holding an impactful mental health discussion with local Dallas students, bringing together teammates to package meals for the food insecure and serving as a pillar of strength for the Dallas Cowboys during a difficult time of tragedy.
Thomas is the second Cowboys player to win this award this season, joining Osa Odighizuwa back in Week 2.
On Nov. 18, Thomas led a mental health conversation with students at South Oak Cliff High School, offering support, vulnerability and vital resources. During the session, the defensive lineman spoke candidly about the importance of seeking help, acknowledging emotions and understanding that "it's okay to not be okay." He also discussed his own experiences with grief and anxiety, growing emotional at times as he continues to process the recent suicide death of Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland and the loss of his sister Ella to suicide in 2018.
"Being named an NFLPA Community MVP is an honor. The real motivation behind my work is my sister Ella, Marshawn, and every young person who's struggling in silence," Thomas said. "I carry her with me in everything I do, and I'm committed to using my platform to make sure families have the support, tools and community she and others deserve. This recognition fuels me to go even harder for the kids, parents, teachers and coaches who have earned a world where mental health is protected and valued."
Following the conversation and Q&A, Thomas presented a $10,000 donation to Dallas ISD Mental Health Services on behalf of the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation and The Defensive Line — the nonprofit he co-founded with his parents in honor of his late sister, dedicated to championing mental health and addressing the youth suicide crisis, particularly among young people of color.
A week earlier on November 11, Thomas and his foundation led a volunteer event featuring 10 of his Cowboys teammates at Metrocrest Services food pantry in Carrollton, Texas. There, they packaged meals and essential items for families facing food insecurity and homelessness ahead of the holiday season.
Later that night, Thomas spoke at a vigil honoring Kneeland, and two days later, he was one of five Cowboys who opened up to the media following the team's first practice. Although this marks Thomas's first season with the Cowboys, his track record as a mental health advocate and locker room leader has made him a steady rock to lean on during the organization's time of need this month.
"It's so important to ask people how they're doing. It's so important to tell people the resources around them," Thomas said. "You never know what battle someone's going through. It's hard. It's tragic. It's such a young life that should be here. This is why mental health is so important."
Emotional well-being and community support have become cornerstones of Thomas' mission off the field. Through The Defensive Line he works to provide lifesaving education and honest conversations that help young people navigate grief and overwhelming emotions.
In October, he led two other mental health conversations with students at Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy and Pinkston High School, reaching a combined total of nearly 1,000 students with a message on breaking the stigma, the unequal access to wellness resources in Black and Brown communities and the importance of fostering life-saving open dialogue.
This past summer, after flooding devastated areas of Central Texas, Thomas donated $25,000 to Hill Country MHDD Centers to provide trauma-informed mental health services for residents and first responders. He also hosted his sixth annual Kids Football Day Camp in Coppell, Texas, where he emphasized physical and mental wellness and encouraged participants to ask for help when struggling. The day included a guided meditation session, football drills and competitions, and more.
Additionally, in September, Thomas launched the month-long “Tell Me About It” campaign, a digital storytelling initiative designed to empower caregivers to engage in meaningful conversations with youth about mental health. The campaign featured video messages from team clinicians, young people sharing their experiences, and Thomas himself encouraging open dialogue and support.
In recognition of Thomas being named NFLPA Community MVP for Week 12, the NFL Players Association will donate $10,000 to his nonprofit of choice. Along with the other Community MVPs from this season, he will also be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA's highest player honor and includes an additional $100,000 donation.
As part of a new supporting partnership with GoFundMe, fans can now also make a donation directly to The Defensive Line here. All donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to the player's selected nonprofit.
Now in its 12th season, the NFLPA's award-winning Community MVP campaign is part of the union's continued efforts to support the year-round civic outreach and engagement of its player members. Community MVPs are selected by a committee of NFLPA staff that reviews the weekly nominees, which are submitted by players, agents, marketing representatives and NFL team staff. For more information about NFLPA Community MVP program, visit here.
