Drew Robinson has one of the most inspirational stories in professional sports. Drew Robinson is a former Major League Baseball player, mental health advocate, and professional speaker. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Drew was drafted by the Texas Rangers out of high school and went on to play parts of 12 seasons with the Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants organizations. In 2020, Drew miraculously survived a suicide attempt, resulting in a newfound purpose of helping others and destigmatizing mental health. Leveraging his tagline, Strength Isn’t Always Physical®, Drew is dedicated to sharing his journey and showcasing vulnerability to prevent suicide and promote mental health care. Drew currently works in the mental health & wellness department with the San Francisco Giants where he advocates for player mental health and peer-to-peer support. Drew resides in Las Vegas with his service dog, Ellie. Follow Drew on Instagram @Drewrobbb.
Background:
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Drew's feelings of depression and self-doubt that he had been battling for years finally reached a tipping point. On April 16, 2020 to the shock of those that knew him, Drew attempted to take his own life. He had hidden his feelings so well that none of his closest friends and family would have ever guessed how he was feeling and what he was planning. This is where the Drew Robinson story was supposed to end, but Drew soon came to realize that it was just the beginning of another.
After surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head that required 4 surgeries and left him without his right eye, Drew had a long road ahead. Simple everyday tasks became very difficult for Drew without the depth perception provided by two eyes. While recovering from the gunshot wound, Drew had lost over 30 lbs of muscle. But these obstacles wouldn't stop Drew. Drew was determined to play professional baseball once more. Drew began working on implementing a routine to help him stay happy, and healthy, and make his way back into professional baseball. Hours of hard work on the field, in the weight room, and through mental health practices such as journaling and meditation put drew on the road to realizing his goal. On May 6th, 2021, just 13 months after attempting to take his own life, Drew made his return to professional baseball with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. It took only 5 more days for him to hit his first home run, a chilling must-see moment.
Following the 2021 season, Drew retired from playing baseball to take on a first-ever Mental Health Advocate role in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants. His work is focused on creating a comfortable atmosphere for players to share about their mental health struggles without fear of judgment, and encouraging players to seek the support they need to strengthen their mental health and mental skills. Drew openly shares his battles and uses his platform to spread hope and the power of vulnerability. He hopes that his story will inspire others to seek help before it is too late.
