In a season of darkness, in a life that saw his family’s world enveloped in unimaginable darkness, Solomon Thomas has risen as a shining beacon of light for so many.

It was nearly seven years ago when his big sister, Ella, gripped by anxiety and depression, took her life. She was 24. Solomon Thomas was 22.

For the third consecutive year, Thomas is the Jets’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

<div class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper"><a href="#" aria-controls="nyp-slideshow-modal" data-slideshow-modal="trigger" title="Open a slideshow of all 3 article images." aria-label="Open a slideshow of all 3 article images." data-slideshow-slide-number="1" data-slideshow-slides-total="3"> 3 </a></div><figcaption>Solomon Thomas speaks to the media after practice in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post</figcaption>

At a time when too often the worst of us has been revealed, Thomas stands tall as the best of us.

Solomon Thomas is a co-founder with his parents of The Defensive Line, whose mission is ending youth suicide and raising mental health awareness.{ai:summary}Solomon Thomas, a member of the Jets, has been nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for the third year in a row. His nomination comes in the wake of his sister Ella's tragic death by suicide nearly seven years ago, which has fueled his advocacy for mental health awareness.Thomas has emerged as a positive role model, using his platform to shine a light on mental health issues and support those in need, exemplifying resilience in a challenging world. #society

Jets’ Solomon Thomas turning darkness into light following family tragedy

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