Tyler Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler for the Dallas Cowboys, visited his alma mater, North Crowley High School, on Friday to speak at “Mind Over Medals Mental Health Summit” about his NFL journey and mental health awareness.
Kamal Morgan
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys returned to his alma mater Friday to speak about the importance off mental health and using your support system to pursue your goals.
Smith, a 2019 graduate of North Crowley High School, talked to an auditorium full of high school students from Crowley and North Crowley high schools about his journey from growing up in Fort Worth, being an underrated player at Tulsa University in Oklahoma, to one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
Growing up, Smith said, not many people around him spoke about their mental health, and he was told to have an outward appearance of success. Friday’s event was an opportunity for him to tell students to do the opposite.
Smith said his advice “would be to be more open, to not be afraid to talk and open up and communicate with those around you who love you.”
The increasing pressure for high school students to perform at a high level academically, athletically and artistically can be overwhelming, which prompted Crowley ISD to host events such as the “Mind Over Medals Mental Health Summit” at North Crowley High School. Held when students had the day off from school, the school system wanted to prioritize the mental health and well-being of its students and parents.
According to a 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment survey of Mental Health by Cooks Children, 31 percent of children in Tarrant County have at least one commonly diagnosed mental health condition that includes anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral or conduct problems. The survey also states that 48 percent of caregivers in Tarrant County reported difficulty in getting needed mental health treatment or counseling for their child.
The summit covered many issues, with breakout sessions focusing on “Recognizing the Hidden Struggles of High Achievers,” “Balancing Academics, Sports and Life,” and “Managing Conflict in High School.” Speakers included Smith, Tia Banks, a Crowley High School graduate and former professional track athlete, and Michelle N. Gibson, professor of practice in dance at Southern Methodist University.
Tables with representatives from MHMR of Tarrant County, JPS Health Network, and others were available to provide resources and services.
Students were also offered a variety of incentives to participate, including earning volunteer hours, replacing a test or assignment grade, and making up missed school days. If parents attended, they could also choose one of the incentives for their child.
The idea for the event was sparked by Trina Lane, executive director of counseling services for Crowley ISD, who would watch former Cowboys players like Dez Bryant, who had talent but had difficulty regulating his emotions.
“I couldn’t imagine being in that type of limelight without the support you need,” Lane said. “Which is what many of our athletes and high-performers face.”
Lane has worked to help students manage pressure during high-performance activities. She first held a virtual session for teachers during COVID. Then, in 2023, with the help of Crowley ISD Superintendent Michael McFarland, she organized a mental health event to help students and parents manage stress, mental health, and life.
Jeramie Cooper was one of the students asked to speak in an opening ceremony conversation Friday with other students, parents, and teachers about mental health and navigating life. A football player for North Crowley, he was devastated after his team lost to Allen High School in the 6A regional finals this past season.
Cooper, an 11th-grader, knew the team’s season was over and that the team fell short of its year-long goal to repeat as state champions. The expectations bring pressure because it’s bigger than you, Cooper said. The players represent the school, the community, and Fort Worth, as their helmets have the 817 area code on the sides.
He was dejected after the loss, but it didn’t last long, he said, as he, his teammates, and coaches woke up the next day and met to check in on each other. Cooper said it makes a difference to have the space to open up and express his frustrations with people he trusts and understands.
“I feel like, if you open up, it helps you as a person,” Cooper said. “Because you get that off your chest, you can’t hold everything in.”
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Kamal Morgan covers racial equity issues for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He came to Texas from the Pensacola News Journal in Florida. Send tips to his email or Twitter.