Kalen Jackson is carrying on her father's legacy through her mental health advocacy
Breaking down barriers surrounding mental health was a personal mission for Jim Irsay, the beloved owner of the Indianapolis Colts who died last month at age 65.
It's personal for Kalen Jackson, too.
Irsay's youngest daughter, who joins sisters Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Casey Foyt in running the team, has talked openly about dealing with anxiety. Irsay-Gordon is the CEO with Foyt as executive vice president and Jackson chief brand officer.
Jackson leads 'Kicking The Stigma,' the family's initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders. The organization is committed to dismantling the stigma often associated with these illnesses and has been focused on expanding access to critical services across Indiana and nationwide.
The Colts have donated more than $30 million to nonprofits and organizations in the mental health space since the initiative launched in 2020.
'The stigma piece to me has almost become synonymous in my head with the way we handle it as a culture because the stigma comes from prejudice and judgment and that comes from how it's presented in our culture over time,' Jackson said. 'How do we change that conversation? With that will come so much of the change that we're fighting so hard to get to in terms of having more things covered (by) insurance or the way the hospital networks look at this, the way that companies look at this and supporting their employees.'
Irsay often spoke publicly about his battles with alcoholism and addiction, hoping his journey to sobriety would inspire and encourage others.
Jackson's voice will continue to carry on the conversation.
'I am so proud of the legacy he has left behind and I only hope to make him proud,' Jackson said.
Jackson will be recognized by Project Healthy Minds, a Millennial and Gen Z-driven mental health tech nonprofit, for becoming a trailblazing leader in mental health advocacy. She will receive the organization's first 'Sports Visionary of the Year' Award at the third annual World Mental Health Day Gala on Oct. 9 in New York. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will present Jackson with the award at an event that's brought together celebrities, executives, and cultural leaders, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
'When we all got together to decide who should win this inaugural award, it was unanimous that it should be Kalen and the Colts because they have been so committed to mental health in sports,' said Phillip Schermer, founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds. 'It's not talking the talk, it's walking the walk. They've been doing this from the beginning and I think they've sort of lit a path for what I think every sport and every league ought to do.'
For Jackson, who is on the nonprofit's Board of Directors, the mission is clear.
'To connect with people and to be compassionate and to try to change the world for the better, that's kind of what all this is for me,' she said.
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
The NFL and NFL Players Association in 2019 agreed to make it a requirement to have a licensed behavioral health clinician on the staff of each team in an effort to increase mental health resources.
The Colts have taken it further. They recently hired a clinician to also work with front-office staff and coaches.
'I don't have to wait to know what impact it's going to have,' Jackson said.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kalen Jackson is carrying on her father's legacy through her mental health advocacy
Breaking down barriers surrounding mental health was a personal mission for Jim Irsay, the beloved owner of the Indianapolis Colts who died last month at age 65. It's personal for Kalen Jackson, too. Irsay's youngest daughter, who joins sisters Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Casey Foyt in running the team, has talked openly about dealing with anxiety. Irsay-Gordon is the CEO with Foyt as executive vice president and Jackson chief brand officer. Jackson leads 'Kicking The Stigma,' the family's initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders. The organization is committed to dismantling the stigma often associated with these illnesses and has been focused on expanding access to critical services across Indiana and nationwide. The Colts have donated more than $30 million to nonprofits and organizations in the mental health space since the initiative launched in 2020. 'The stigma piece to me has almost become synonymous in my head with the way we handle it as a culture because the stigma comes from prejudice and judgment and that comes from how it's presented in our culture over time,' Jackson said. 'How do we change that conversation? With that will come so much of the change that we're fighting so hard to get to in terms of having more things covered (by) insurance or the way the hospital networks look at this, the way that companies look at this and supporting their employees.' Irsay often spoke publicly about his battles with alcoholism and addiction, hoping his journey to sobriety would inspire and encourage others. Jackson's voice will continue to carry on the conversation. 'I am so proud of the legacy he has left behind and I only hope to make him proud,' Jackson said. Jackson will be recognized by Project Healthy Minds, a Millennial and Gen Z-driven mental health tech nonprofit, for becoming a trailblazing leader in mental health advocacy. She will receive the organization's first 'Sports Visionary of the Year' Award at the third annual World Mental Health Day Gala on Oct. 9 in New York. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will present Jackson with the award at an event that's brought together celebrities, executives, and cultural leaders, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 'When we all got together to decide who should win this inaugural award, it was unanimous that it should be Kalen and the Colts because they have been so committed to mental health in sports,' said Phillip Schermer, founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds. 'It's not talking the talk, it's walking the walk. They've been doing this from the beginning and I think they've sort of lit a path for what I think every sport and every league ought to do.' For Jackson, who is on the nonprofit's Board of Directors, the mission is clear. 'To connect with people and to be compassionate and to try to change the world for the better, that's kind of what all this is for me,' she said. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The NFL and NFL Players Association in 2019 agreed to make it a requirement to have a licensed behavioral health clinician on the staff of each team in an effort to increase mental health resources. The Colts have taken it further. They recently hired a clinician to also work with front-office staff and coaches. 'I don't have to wait to know what impact it's going to have,' Jackson said. ___ AP NFL:
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
NFL all-time great Barry Sanders sheds light on heart attack
This April 22, 2010 file photo shows former NFL running back Barry Sanders arriving for the NFL Draft in New York. Photo by Jason DeCrow / AP One of the greatest football players ever is revealing details about his health issues hoping to help others. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Barry Sanders, who has a case as the top running back to play the game and was a no-doubt Hall of Fame pick after starring for the Detroit Lions, is shedding some light on the 'health scare' he said he went through last June. Sanders 56, told CBS Sports he had a heart attack while attending a recruiting visit for his son. 'I couldn't believe it, honestly,' Sanders told CBS. 'I thought it was like heartburn, but it just kind of persisted.' Sanders went over the whole experience in 'The Making of a Heart Attack,' which will premier on Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m. on A&E. He said the day started with a burning sensation in his chest, but he still went on the visit. Only later would Sanders visit a hospital. Tests found that he'd suffered a heart attack. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Of all things, I don't know why, that just never entered my mind,' Sanders said. 'I'm learning through this process that there aren't necessarily any warning signs, unless you do what we're encouraging people to do, which is to go the doctor, get tested for LDLC levels, or bad cholesterol. That's the only way to find out if you have high cholesterol. It's not something you're going to be able to feel. You don't have to fit a certain physical profile.' Sanders and four other people who have had heart attacks are featured in the show. He said it was eye opening how prevalent heart attacks are. Sanders said he's feeling good now and is taking medications and has made dietary changes and is walking more. 'It's definitely made me healthier and happier,' Sanders said. 'Being the kind of athlete that I was, I would see people walking and I would wonder, like, 'What kind of workout is that?' But there's a thing called a heart healthy workout, where you're just getting your heart rate up a little bit over a certain period of time, and that's just really good for your heart. There was just a certain ignorance that I had about things like that. But all of it has been a learning process.' He added all of the support he's received from fans has 'meant a lot to me.' Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Music Toronto & GTA Columnists
CBC
04-06-2025
- CBC
Vikings' Purple People Eater Jim Marshall, the 'all-time iron man,' dies at 87
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, one of the four members of the famed Purple People Eaters front that formed the backbone of four Super Bowl teams, died Tuesday after a long hospitalization for an undisclosed illness. He was 87. The Vikings announced Marshall's death on behalf of his wife, Susan. The native of Kentucky, who played at Ohio State and was drafted in 1960 by the Cleveland Browns, played 19 of his 20 seasons in the NFL with Minnesota. The two-time Pro Bowl pick set a league record for position players with 282 consecutive regular-season games played, a mark held by Marshall until quarterback Brett Favre broke it, coincidentally, with the Vikings in 2010. Marshall began his professional football career in the Canadian Football League, playing the 1959 season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before moving to the NFL a year later. "No player in Vikings history lived the ideals of toughness, camaraderie and passion more than the all-time iron man," Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf said in a statement distributed by the team. "A cornerstone of the franchise from the beginning, Captain Jim's unmatched durability and quiet leadership earned the respect of teammates and opponents throughout his 20-year career. Jim led by example, and there was no finer example for others to follow. His impact on the Vikings was felt long after he left the field. Jim will always be remembered as a tremendous player and person. Our hearts are with his wife, Susan, and all of Jim's loved ones." Though sacks weren't officially tracked by the NFL until 1982, Pro Football Reference recently completed a retroactive compilation of the primary pass-rushing statistic and credited Marshall with 130 1/2 sacks, which is tied for 22nd all-time. Two other Purple People Eaters rank ahead of him: Alan Page (148 1/2) is eighth, and Carl Eller (133 1/2) is tied for 18th. Marshall remains the NFL career record-holder, now tied with Jason Taylor, for opponent fumbles recovered with 29. One of those infamously came on Oct. 25, 1964, at San Francisco when, after the Vikings forced 49ers running back Billy Kilmer to cough up the ball, Marshall scooped it up and scampered 66 yards into the end zone — the wrong way. After he tossed the ball in the air and turned toward the touchdown celebration with his teammates he was expecting, Marshall stopped in his tracks and put his hands on his hips in disbelief upon realizing he'd cost his team a safety. The Vikings went on to win 27-22. "It took a lot of guts for me to go back on that field, because I took football very seriously and I had made the biggest mistake that you could probably make," Marshall once said in an interview with NFL Films for a segment on the NFL's worst plays. Marshall took the gaffe in stride, a graciousness made easier by his stature on the team and within the league. Long a favourite of hard-nosed head coach Bud Grant, Marshall played through the 1979 season, his final game coming two weeks before his 42nd birthday. "Maybe we've taken it for granted that Jim Marshall plays hurt," Grant said after Marshall announced his retirement. "But durability is the most important ability you have. You can't achieve greatness without durability, and that is personified in Jim Marshall. He has been hurt. But he doesn't break. He bends. He heals. He has a high pain threshold. Jim not only plays hurt, he plays as well when he's hurt as when he isn't. That's what's important." After Favre broke Marshall's record of 270 consecutive regular-season games started in 2009, the Vikings invited Marshall to their practice facility to speak to the players. He was asked then in an interview session with reporters what he thought about a quarterback overtaking his prized mark. "He's the guy we were trying to hurt," Marshall said with a laugh. "Every defensive lineman that he plays against is trying to hurt him. That's a tough way to earn a living." Marshall's determination and longevity took its physical toll, like many of his peers from an era when player safety and injury prevention were minimal. In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2017, Marshall recounted his long list of post-career surgeries on his knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, back, neck, heart, eyes and ears. "I didn't quite accomplish all the things I wanted to, but I sure tried," Marshall said. "I sacrificed. I gave it my best shot."
