In 2020, Sarah Fuller created history by becoming the first woman to play and score points for a Power 5 conference team as a placekicker for Vanderbilt’s football team, despite being a women’s soccer goalkeeper at the time.
Now, she is advocating for an even more crucial cause.
On Tuesday, Fuller took to Twitter to urge the NCAA to do more to assist student-athletes with their mental health challenges. She highlighted the strain of continually being expected to be “mentally tough” year after year and stressed the need for better support.
Fuller expressed, “Something more must be undertaken to comprehend and assist in the mental well-being of student-athletes. The current efforts are insufficient, and the perpetual pressure to maintain ‘mental toughness’ each year is draining. It’s disheartening to witness the toll this expectation has taken on us.”
Social media reactions:
– One user posted a link with the message “Healthy Brain, Healthy Game.”
– Another user emphasized the importance of mental health beyond athletic careers.
– Yet another tweet underscored that acknowledging mental health struggles is a sign of strength, not weakness.
– One tweet highlighted the necessity of checking on staff in college athletics as well.
– A user called for the reassessment of the concept of “mental toughness” in sports.
– Another tweet shared a message advocating for showing love and seeking help when needed, especially regarding mental health.
Fuller’s football journey began when Vanderbilt’s regular placekickers were unavailable due to COVID-related reasons. Despite her soccer background, she stepped in as a replacement, initially assisting with kickoffs and later making a significant contribution by scoring on two extra points in a subsequent game.
