NFL Player, Brandon Marshall supports Mental Illness Awareness Week during Thursday Night Football!

Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver for the Chicago Bears is wearing lime green cleats, in honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week, during tonight's Football game against the New York Giants. Marshall was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2010 and is wearing the lime green cleats to show his support and to raise awareness of mental illness. He went into the game knowing if he wore the lime green cleats, he would receive a fine from the NFL for violating their uniform rules. He plans to match the fine he receives in a donation to a mental health related charity. He also plans to auction off the cleats to donate that money to charity as well. 

Marshall is quoted telling Chicago reporters this earlier this week:

“One of the things I’m going to do is wear lime green spikes this week, the league’s going to hit me with a nice, little fine and I’m asking them to take my money and the money I’m going to match and give it to a great foundation doing some work in the mental health community."

How incredibly courageous of him to bring awareness to this cause during a nationally televised Thursday Night Football game! I have nothing but respect for this man for bringing his struggle to the forefront, it is not an easy thing to do! He is known for openly speaking about his illness and how he overcame the worst part of it. Thank you, Brandon Marshall, for standing up, speaking out, and being an advocate for those who can't speak out for themselves.

Thank you for reading! Until next time...

Sara Breidenstein

Kissing Stigma Goodbye