Thursday was an emotional day for the Dallas Cowboys. It was their first time back at practice since last week’s tragedy.
One week ago, the Cowboys learned that second-year defensive end Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away due to suicide. Following the loss, players and coaches have spoken up about the importance of mental health.
That continued on Thursday with defensive tackle Solomon Thomas delivering a powerful message that everyone should hear. He stated that it’s important to be kind to everyone, since we don’t know what battles they’re facing.
“Someone could be smiling, someone could be dancing, laughing, having a great time, expressing all this joy, but on the inside, they could really be fighting a battle that you never know about. You don’t know what the chemicals are telling them in their brain. You don’t know the trauma from their childhood. You don’t know everything they’ve been going through. And that’s why it’s so important to be kind,” Thomas said.
“It’s so important to ask people how they’re doing. It’s so important to tell people the resources around them, that therapy is OK as a man. Therapy is OK as a woman. These are things that we need to go through because 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.”
Thomas is sadly no stranger to such tragedies. His sister, Ella, committed suicide in 2018 at the age of 24. Thomas and his family
The New Orleans Saints are finalizing preparations for the stretch of the 2025 season, with roster moves settling in and young players carving out their first real roles. But away from the practice field, one surprising off-field decision has drawn national attention.
As the franchise locks in its 53-man roster, focus should be squarely on football. Yet, the personal lives of rookies often become intertwined with the spotlight, especially when outside distractions collide with the demands of the NFL.
This week, a first-year Saint made a headline-grabbing decision unrelated to football. For him, staying in New Orleans’ long-term plans meant not only competing on the field, but also managing the pressures of celebrity attention off it.
That rookie is running back Audric Estimé, who recently secured a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster after being elevated from the practice squad. Shortly after that milestone, he ended his relationship with a well-known social media celebrity, an online star with millions of followers and a massive global audience.
The influencer built her brand through music, lifestyle content and viral posts that turned her into one of the most recognizable young digital personalities. Her reach and visibility inevitably brought heightened scrutiny onto Estimé as he adjusted to life in the NFL and tried to solidify his role in New Orleans.
The rookie explained his choice candidly in a private conversation that has since circulated among team circles:
“Right now, I need to focus on building my career with the Saints. There were too many cameras, too many eyes on my life off the field. I need peace, I need focus – if not, I will lose my chance and get left behind in New Orleans.”
Fans immediately reacted across X and Instagram, some applauding Estimé for putting football first, others sympathizing with his former girlfriend and questioning the pressure placed on young players to sacrifice their personal lives. The split fueled debate over the challenges rookies face in balancing relationships with the ruthless demands of professional sports.
For Audric Estimé, cracking the 53-man roster is only the beginning. By cutting ties with distractions and the glare of social media celebrity culture, the rookie signaled that his priority is clear: proving himself in the Saints’ backfield and earning trust in New Orleans for years to come.