In a powerful demonstration of their commitment to community wellness, the Arizona Cardinals partnered with education technology leader EVERFI to host a Mental Health Awareness panel and youth football camp aimed at educating young athletes on the importance of emotional well-being. The initiative, held at the team’s training facility in Tempe, Arizona, was not just another football event—it was a transformational experience blending sports, education, and advocacy at the intersection of mental health and youth development.
As mental health continues to move to the forefront of national conversations—especially among young people and athletes—the Cardinals’ collaboration with EVERFI represents a growing trend in the NFL and professional sports at large: leveraging influence for social impact.
The event was structured around two key components: a mental health panel discussion featuring professionals, players, and advocates, and a hands-on youth football camp designed to integrate physical fitness with emotional resilience training.
Over 100 student-athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 participated in the camp, which was free to attend. These young individuals, many from underserved communities across the Phoenix metropolitan area, spent the day engaged in football drills, team-building exercises, and breakout sessions dedicated to topics like self-care, stress management, and goal setting.
For the Cardinals, this initiative wasn’t about teaching Xs and Os—it was about life skills.
The day began with a robust mental health panel that set the tone for the entire event. Moderated by a mental health advocate from EVERFI, the panel featured a blend of perspectives: Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck, team clinician Dr. Candice Williams, EVERFI’s mental wellness education director Erica Brown, and former Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson, who now works in youth advocacy.
Each panelist shared personal stories and insights into the mental health challenges faced by athletes, particularly those who begin competing at a young age. The discussion covered a broad range of themes—peer pressure, social media stressors, injury recovery, and the performance anxiety that can accompany both sports and everyday school life.
“What we’re doing today is about helping kids realize that it’s okay to not be okay,” said Dr. Williams, who serves as a licensed psychologist for the team. “Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.”
Dennis Gardeck spoke candidly about his own experiences with stress and expectations in the NFL.
“People think just because we wear helmets and pads that we’re indestructible. But we’re human first,” Gardeck said. “The same goes for these kids. We want them to know that talking to someone or taking a mental break isn’t weakness—it’s strength.”
After the panel, participants transitioned into the youth camp portion of the day. Current and former Cardinals players led positional drills, while local high school coaches offered instruction on both fundamentals and teamwork.
But in a departure from traditional football camps, this one included “mental timeouts”—designated periods where athletes paused for guided breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or reflections facilitated by EVERFI mentors. Camp counselors checked in with athletes throughout the day, encouraging open dialogue about how they were feeling both physically and emotionally.
This integrated approach was part of EVERFI’s “Character Playbook: Mental Wellness Basics” curriculum, which the NFL has supported across its 32 teams since 2019. The program introduces middle and high school students to concepts such as emotional regulation, empathy, and coping strategies through engaging digital lessons and community-based programming.
“Combining football with mental health education lets us meet students where they are,” said Erica Brown. “They’re excited to be on the field, but they’re also absorbing these important life lessons that can stay with them long after the camp ends.”
The event also brought together representatives from local mental health organizations such as Teen Lifeline, Banner Behavioral Health, and NAMI Arizona, all of whom hosted information booths and distributed educational materials to families in attendance.
For the Cardinals, this was about creating sustainable impact, not just a one-time engagement.
“We’ve always been active in the community, but mental health is an area where we feel we can do more,” said Steve Keim, Cardinals General Manager. “We’re not just teaching football; we’re helping raise well-rounded kids who will become strong, resilient adults.”
The team plans to expand these efforts in the coming years by working with EVERFI to introduce in-school programming in Arizona public schools. Additionally, several Cardinals players have volunteered to appear in digital PSAs and classroom videos that will be incorporated into EVERFI’s online curriculum.
“We’re thinking big picture,” said Keim. “If we can help one kid feel heard or help one parent understand how to talk to their child about mental health, then we’ve done something meaningful.”
The Cardinals are not alone in their efforts. The NFL and NFLPA have made mental health a league-wide priority, investing millions in wellness education, suicide prevention, and access to clinical resources. Initiatives like “My Cause My Cleats” and “NFL Total Wellness” have given players a platform to discuss mental health openly.
In 2023, the league mandated that all 32 teams employ a licensed behavioral health clinician available to players and staff. The Cardinals were among the first to adopt the policy, bringing Dr. Williams on board in 2022.
“Our players have embraced it,” said head coach Jonathan Gannon. “And it’s trickling down into how we interact with fans, kids, and families. We’re part of a culture shift where mental health is no longer taboo—it’s a priority.”
For many of the youth participants, the experience was eye-opening.
“I thought we were just coming here to play football,” said 15-year-old camp attendee Marcus Ruiz. “But then I heard them talking about stuff I go through—like being nervous before games or feeling like I have to be perfect. It made me feel like I’m not alone.”
Another camper, 13-year-old Alyssa King, said the mindfulness exercises helped her deal with anxiety.
“I get nervous at school sometimes,” she said. “They taught us how to breathe and think about what we can control. I’m going to use that during my next volleyball match.”
Parents were equally appreciative, praising the Cardinals for addressing an often-overlooked issue.
“As a mom, it means everything to see a team like the Cardinals care about more than just wins,” said local parent Joanna Martinez. “They’re helping raise mentally strong kids.”
As the event came to a close, campers were presented with custom Cardinals T-shirts, mental health resource kits, and a certificate of completion. But perhaps the most lasting takeaway was a simple message echoed throughout the day: You are not alone.
For the Arizona Cardinals and EVERFI, this initiative is just the beginning. Plans are already in place for additional mental wellness events during the 2025 season, including school visits, teen summits, and follow-up camps. The hope is that these efforts ripple outward, creating a culture of openness and support that extends well beyond the football field.
“The sooner we start normalizing these conversations, the healthier our kids will be,” said Erica Brown. “And that’s a win for everyone.”
