There may be value in situating a mental health professional within the Athletics & Recreation clinical team, alongside the professionals already supporting student-athlete health, while maintaining a meaningful connection to the university’s broader mental health infrastructure.

The athletes most vulnerable within sport do not need to be taught how to tolerate more. They need environments that expose them to less harm — and care that understands who they are and what they're up against.

Nathan Saliba came on as Koné's replacement. He scored within minutes. He didn't celebrate. He ran to the bench, picked up the empty number 8 jersey, and held it up. Rituals like this let a team grieve without stopping. Holding up that jersey wasn't only about honouring Koné. It was, in a way, permission — for everyone on that pitch — to keep playing.

Original photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images via CBC Sports/RCI.