Ex-NFL star and Bachelor/Bachelorette contestant Colton Underwood is organizing the inaugural Pickle! For Purpose tournament in Malibu, partnering with his Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation.
Targeting Emotional And Mental Stability
The event, scheduled for September 30 at Pepperdine University’s Ralph-Straus Tennis Center, serves as a fundraiser to promote awareness and garner support for the Targeting Emotional and Mental Stability (TEAMS) Act.
Participating in this event are notable celebrity figures, including Sophia Bush, Stevan Ditter, Ronald Gladden, Colton Haynes, Harry Jowsey, James Marsden, June Diane Raphael, Geoff Stults, and Michelle Wie.
Professional pickleball players Hurricane Tyra Black, Catherine Parenteau, and Callie Jo Smith are also taking part, as is a team from Pepperdine.
The tournament will kick off with a pro singles and doubles match.
The TEAMS Act
Noteworthy sponsors for the event include Amazon, American Airlines, Bumble, Skechers, Can-Am, nuuds, Just Ingredients, Health-Ade, Made by Mary, UpWest, and Crumb.
Underwood has been a fervent advocate for the TEAMS Act and has leveraged his profile to initiate conversations aimed at destigmatizing student-athlete challenges.
The legislation is designed to offer a range of programs and resources, including online mental health care services, in-person mental health coaching, 24/7 crisis text lines, peer-to-peer counseling, and other educational initiatives.
These provisions aim to combat the associated stigma surrounding mental health in student-athlete academic and athletic pursuits.
“Brighter Tomorrows For Student-Athletes”
He says, “Our foundation serves as a testament to the power of united action, a reminder that by uplifting student athletes’ well-being, we enable them to thrive authentically and realize their unique potential.
“With an exhilarating tournament as our rallying point, we want to galvanize the support needed to provide the mental health resources that student-athletes urgently demand. In our mission, we find not just a cause but a transformative journey towards brighter tomorrows for our student-athletes.”
Tickets are available here.
Colton Underwood
TV Celeb And Author
Colton Underwood is a prominent American figure known for his roles as a TV personality, executive producer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He has also earned recognition as a New York Times Best Selling author for his work The First Time.
In his earlier years, Underwood excelled as a defensive end at Illinois State, ultimately earning a spot with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He subsequently contributed to the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.
Underwood’s tenure in the NFL was marked by his dedication to making a positive impact, on and off the field. Motivated by his young cousin Harper, he established the Legacy Foundation, channeling efforts towards raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis – a genetic condition primarily affecting the respiratory and digestive systems.
Mental Health Advocate
In recent times, Underwood has emerged as a genuine Mental Health Advocate, drawing from his personal experiences to support and guide others facing similar challenges. Recognizing the mental health implications of Cystic Fibrosis treatment, he redirected the foundation’s focus towards mental health awareness.
He has recently ventured to Washington, DC, to advocate for new legislation aimed at providing essential mental health resources to student-athletes – an initiative that marks just the beginning of his ongoing efforts in this crucial field.
Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation
According to a recent survey conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), rates of exhaustion, anxiety, and depression have surged to levels twice as high as those observed before the pandemic. Alarmingly, the study also revealed that fewer than half of men’s and women’s sports participants expressed feeling at ease about seeking assistance from mental health providers on their respective campuses.
Another concerning statistic is that one in five adolescents is currently grappling with a mental, developmental, or behavioral health disorder. Furthermore, in 2021, suicide stood as the third leading cause of mortality among individuals aged 15 to 24. These figures underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and resources, particularly within the context of academic and athletic environments.
The Foundation’s work focuses on paving the way for collegiate athletes to access the essential mental health care they deserve.
