NFL
By: Zachary Draves
Olympic shot putter Raven “Hulk” Saunders embodies various identities and symbolizes the essence of greatness.
A Black queer woman from Charleston, South Carolina who exudes the true meaning of strength.
She had a decorated collegiate career while at Southern Illinois University and later at the University of Mississippi.
(Courtesy: USA Today High School Sports)
In 2015, she won titles in the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, NCAA Indoor Championships, Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
One year later, she continued her dominance by winning titles at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, placing 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championships, winning at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
That year she competed in her first Olympics in Rio placing 5th and returning to her hometown as a hero.
(Courtesy: CNN International
Everything seemed to be lining up for Raven but inside the struggle was real.
In a recent short doc appearance on PBS’s Out of the Dark Series, Raven opened up about her ongoing battle with depression and anxiety.
(Courtesy: Youtube)
After returning from Rio, she felt an enormous pressure to do better and while she won a national title in 2017, she came in 10th at the World Championships.
In January 2018, it got so bad that she thought about taking her life by driving off the edge of a Mississippi Highway.
A therapist whom Raven had connected with during her time at Ole Miss had texted her and was able to pull some string to get her checked into a mental health facility and it was there that Raven started putting things together.
She tweeted a photo of her wearing wristbands from the facility and from there began to share her story.
A major catalyst in her disclosure was the suicide of Bryce Gowdy, a 17-year-old football player who had signed with Georgia Tech who one night walked out onto train tracks and was killed.
For Raven, it got to be too much that she could no longer stay silent.
“For a while, it was something that was built inside of me and it was pressing on me to say something” she said.
“I felt I had to say something to save lives.”
Since she has shared her story, the response has been incredible from her family, friends, coaches, and teammates.
(Courtesy: Yahoo Sports)
She is now looking to get another shot at Olympic glory this summer in Tokyo and is competing at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon from June 18-27.
Raven is going through this journey with an even greater sense of purpose beyond winning gold and prioritizing her mental well being like never before.
“What keeps me going is positive thoughts” she said.
“I keep pushing and fighting through it.”
She also recognizes the power of her voice on the social justice front.
The past year of racial reckoning after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Daunte Wright, and others is something personal to Raven and other black athletes who are not going to relent in their quest for justice.
“Now more than ever, we are not afraid to speak our minds” said Raven.
“As black athletes, we have family members and friends who go through these things and as a black queer athlete, I know that I have people looking up to me.”
The future is brighter than ever for Raven Saunders and she looks forward to continuing her advocacy work and remaining true to herself.
“I feel as if I stay humble and keep going the possibilities are endless.”
She redefines the spirit of the Hulk entirely with peace of mind and no shame.
