Buffalo Bandits forward Brandon Robinson will be teaming up with Morgan’s Message this season to bring support and awareness to athletes’ mental health.
Morgan’s Message is a nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
Robinson plans to donate $1 for every goal scored in the NLL this season to support the cause. Bandits fans can also show their support by donating to his fundraiser here.
Brandon Robinson of the @NLLBandits is doing more than just taking shots on goal this @NLL season: he is Taking a Shot at Mental Health.
For each goal scored across the league, Brandon is donating $1 to Morgan’s Message through his GoFundMe campaign! 🦋 pic.twitter.com/MfPENcUTyF
— Morgan's Message (@MorgansMessage) December 1, 2023
Morgan’s Message was created in honor of Morgan Rodgers, who was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. She was a gifted artist and talented athlete playing Division I lacrosse for the Duke University Blue Devils before sustaining a knee injury ahead of her sophomore season that prevented her from playing lacrosse. As she focused on her rehab and recovery, Morgan began to struggle with her mental health in silence. As a result, she passed away by suicide at the age of 22 on July 11, 2019.
The nonprofit organization was created to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.
The mission resonated with Robinson, who dealt with a knee injury of his own last season and wanted to raise awareness surrounding mental health in sports before his playing days are over.
“I’m sure there are tons of people in the league that have either experienced or know someone who has gone through some mental health challenges,” Robinson said. “So, I think it hits home for not just myself but probably a lot of people around the league—fans, broadcasters, coaches, everyone. I think it’s kind of a big thing nowadays and I don’t think it gets talked about as much as maybe it should.”
Robinson reached out to Morgan’s Message in hopes of spreading the organization’s message this season while also promoting the sport Morgan loved. He will continue to find new ways to raise awareness throughout the season.
“In lacrosse it’s kind of the main selling point is the goals and highlights that come from it, so I think it’s a cool way to promote that while also raising awareness about something that’s a problem in the world today,” he said.
For more information on Morgan’s Message, visit morgansmessage.org.