Vanderbilt players to wear helmet stickers in support of Hilinski’s Hope
Saturday Down South
The green ribbon is known around the world as the symbol for mental health awareness. With that in mind, Vanderbilt players on Saturday in their game against South Carolina will wear green helmet stickers in support of Gamecocks backup QB Ryan Hilinski and his organization “Hilinski’s Hope.”
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason shared the news on Twitter, and said, “We will be rocking the green ribbon sticker on our helmets this weekend in support of Hilinski’s Hope.”
This isn’t the first time SEC East opponent have done a gesture like this. Last year, several teams, including Georgia, for example, and their fans raised three fingers at the start of the third quarter to honor Hilinski’s late brother, Tyler, who committed suicide in early 2018. The gesture has been done at Williams-Brice Stadium as Hilinski himself, who wears No. 3 on his jersey, often raises three fingers, especially after touchdowns, to honor Tyler’s number when he played at Washington State.
The Hilinski family has started an organization, “Hilinski’s Hope,” to raise awareness and end the stigma about mental illness, especially as it relates to student athletes.
