In a bold and emotional gesture that has already sent shockwaves through the college football world, former Oklahoma Sooner standout running back Jalen Redmond announced today a $2.5 million donation to establish a groundbreaking mental health initiative aimed at supporting student-athletes across the University of Oklahoma and beyond.
The initiative, titled “Strong Mind, Strong Game,” will provide expanded access to licensed mental health counselors, peer support networks, wellness education, and crisis intervention services for student-athletes facing the pressures of performance, academics, and personal life.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where Redmond—flanked by OU athletic department officials, former teammates, and student representatives—delivered an emotional speech recounting his own struggles and the quiet battles many athletes face behind the scenes.
“I’ve seen teammates suffer in silence. I’ve felt the pressure myself,” Redmond said, pausing to collect his thoughts. “We train our bodies endlessly, but we rarely talk about what it takes to stay mentally healthy in this environment. That ends now.”
A Gift That Goes Beyond Football
Redmond, who gained national recognition during his time with the Sooners before pursuing a professional football career, emphasized that the donation was not about headlines or legacy, but about “creating space where athletes can be human.”
The new mental health initiative will fund:
24/7 on-demand counseling services
Mental wellness workshops for teams and coaching staff
A new Athlete Resilience Center on campus
Grants for mental health research in collegiate athletics
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. praised Redmond’s generosity, calling it a “historic investment in the well-being of the OU athletic community.”
“Jalen Redmond has shown us what true leadership looks like—off the field and for the future,” said Harroz. “This gift will impact lives in ways we can’t yet measure.”
Backed by Lived Experience
Redmond, who has been candid in the past about his own challenges with anxiety and injury recovery, said the idea for the initiative came after speaking privately with current and former teammates who felt overwhelmed, isolated, or afraid to ask for help.
“I realized we needed more than just awareness,” Redmond said. “We needed infrastructure. We needed licensed professionals. We needed to take mental health as seriously as we take weight training or game film.”
The response from the athletic community was swift and overwhelmingly positive.
OU Head Coach Brent Venables called Redmond’s actions “a legacy move that transcends football.”
“Jalen has always been a leader. This just proves how much he cares about the team and the next generation of Sooners,” Venables said. “He’s giving our athletes the tools to survive, thrive, and be stronger—inside and out.”
A National Movement?
Though currently focused on the University of Oklahoma, Redmond stated his intention to expand “Strong Mind, Strong Game” into a nationwide initiative, potentially partnering with the NCAA and professional leagues to establish similar programs at other universities.
Social media erupted with praise, with fellow athletes, coaches, mental health advocates, and fans sharing messages of thanks and admiration.
Former Sooner teammate and NFL linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. tweeted:
“Proud doesn’t even cover it. @J_Redmond just changed the game for real.”
Final Thoughts
In an era where student-athletes face unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, Jalen Redmond’s gift reminds the world that strength is not just physical—it’s emotional, mental, and communal.
As the press conference ended and applause filled the stadium, Redmond left with a final message:
“If one athlete sleeps better tonight because they know they’re not alone, then this was worth every penny.”
