New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins used Thursday Night Football as a platform to promote mental health awareness, arriving at Gillette Stadium wearing a handmade shirt displaying the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — a powerful statement made exactly one week after the tragic death of Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland.

Mack Hollins Honors Mental Health Needs with 988 Lifeline Shirt

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the 32-year-old NFL player arrived for the Patriots’ matchup against the New York Jets in a white T-shirt printed with “988,” the national crisis hotline available 24/7 for anyone struggling with emotional distress or mental health challenges.

The front of the shirt also included words that reflect feelings many people silently battle:

“alone,” “vulnerable,” “scared,” “silent,” “hurt,” “empty,” “defeated,” and others.

On the back, Hollins shared a message of support and hope:

“You are worth it!!!”

His shirt also highlighted affirming, uplifting words like strong, enough, healed, supported, loved, valued, and noticed — reminding fans, teammates, and viewers that help is available and no one has to struggle alone.

Hollins’ Message Comes One Week After Marshawn Kneeland’s Death

Hollins’ gesture comes just one week after Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, died on Nov. 6. His loss deeply affected players, teams, and fans across the NFL. Hours after the news, the league held a moment of silence before the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders game, displaying Kneeland’s image on the stadium scoreboard.

The tragedy sparked renewed conversations around mental health within the league, with several players publicly emphasizing the importance of supporting one another.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott spoke about the emotional toll of losing a teammate, saying:
“This is a pain you don’t wish upon anybody… You wish none of us had to go through this.”

NFL and Teams Increase Focus on Mental Health Support

In the week following Kneeland’s death, the NFL has encouraged players and fans to prioritize mental wellness by highlighting available resources, including the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The Cowboys organization also announced the creation of the Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund, established to support his girlfriend Catalina Mancera and their unborn child.

“We want to make sure she’s taken care of and the baby is taken care of for the rest of their lives,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Nov. 12.

NFL Community Encourages Seeking Help and Ending Stigma

Hollins’ choice to wear the 988 shirt on a national broadcast serves as a reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone — and that speaking up, offering support, and accessing help can save lives.

His message echoes a growing movement within professional sports: encouraging players and fans to reach out, talk openly about mental health, and seek resources without shame or fear.