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Sheen Magazine is delighted to speak with Tampa Bay Buccaneer NFL player Elijah Roberts and mom Shanda Roberts on their success and upcoming ventures. Shanda Roberts, the founder of Pain 2 Purpose, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence . Now that her son, Elijah, is in the NFL, they both plan to use their voices and platform to share awareness in helping to end domestic violence. Shanda Roberts’ unwavering commitment to empowering women who have experienced domestic violence and her son’s talent on the field getting him drafted in the NFL are truly inspiring. Through their tireless work, they both have inspired their community and loved ones. Their mission is far from over; they hope that their compassion, dedication, and advocacy will continue to empower survivors to overcome systemic barriers and discover their inner strength to break free from cycles of barriers and abuse. 

Congratulations on being drafted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tell me about the moment you were drafted, how did it feel getting that phone call? 

It was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience, something I’ll cherish forever. The process was long and came with its share of nerves and anticipation as I waited to hear My name called. But above all, I’m just grateful and excited for the opportunity to play. in the NFL.

What kind of player are the Buccaneers getting? 

The Buccaneers are getting a hard worker, first and foremost, a true “juice” guy who brings energy and passion every day. I’m a supportive teammate, a physical player with quickness. and strength, and I love using my length to my advantage on the field. Off the field, I pride myself on being a high-character guy.

What do you hope to bring to the city of Tampa Bay? 

I’m hoping to bring some real juice, a lot of energy, passion, and enthusiasm for the game. I’m an active guy who loves what I do, and I want that to show every time I step on the field. I’m still new to Tampa, so I’m counting on the city to show me some love too! 

What inspired you to pursue a career in football? 

Growing up, I first dreamed of being a basketball player, but once I started playing football, I fell in love with every part of the game. I’m drawn to the camaraderie, the team atmosphere, the grind of offseason workouts, and the chance to grow alongside my teammates, both on and off the field. It’s the relationships and the journey that make it so special to me. 

How do you prepare physically and mentally for a game? 

Physically, I’m one of those guys who puts in extra work to take care of my body, focusing on shoulder, knee, and joint maintenance. Throughout the week, I do yoga, mobility work, and Get deep tissue massages, which I was fortunate to have access to in college. Mentally, I stay calm and composed. I rely a lot on visualization, running through the first quarter, key third downs, and picturing myself executing pass rush moves and getting to the quarterback. I’m not someone who gets overly nervous before games; I trust the work I’ve put in.

What guidance would you offer to a young kid who would like someday to be in your position as a professional football player? 

Speaking from personal experience: stay focused, believe fully in yourself, and keep an even mindset, never get too high or too low. Football won’t always go your way, and when you reach the college or NFL level, everyone’s talented. Stay the course, control what you can, and Give everything you have so you can walk away knowing you left it all on the table, then let the Results take care of themselves.

Who has been the most influential coach or mentor in your career?

Coach Calvin Thibodeaux at SMU was an incredible mentor, not just for everything he taught. me about football, but for the lessons off the field as well. He really emphasized the importance of separating the two, making sure football didn’t consume my personal life. That’s why last season, I made it a point to fly my family out to every game; it gave me that Time to disconnect, stay grounded, and keep perspective. 

What are your goals for this upcoming season?

Team goals-wise, I’m focused on making the 53-man roster and contributing in whatever role I’m asked whether that’s situational downs, all downs, or special teams. I also want to help.This team chases a fifth straight division title and keeps building on the incredible success. they’ve had. 

With Mother’s Day around the corner, may you share how your mom impacted inspired you throughout your journey to become the man you are today?

She’s been one of my biggest supporters throughout my entire life. Funny enough, she didn’t.wanted me to play football at first, she didn’t really understand the game, and my dad would have to explain what was happening. But even then, she was always there, cheering me on. from the sidelines. What I appreciate most is that with my mom, I can just be myself and talk. about life. She’s truly the best mom anyone could ask for. 

Tell us about Pain 2 Purpose and your initiative “STUFF-A-PURSE.” 

I started the nonprofit back in 2015 by visiting shelters and donating new or gently used purses, but I was intentional about the kinds of purses I gave. I’ve always felt that women in Shelters often get overlooked and deserve to feel seen and valued. While people often rally around causes like Toys for Tots, I found myself asking, what about the moms? So a few friends and I began collecting purses, and I’d put out calls on social media for “stuffed purses” filled with toiletries. We’d include gas or Walmart gift cards, along with handwritten, encouraging notes. I even gave each purse a name, words like “Overcomer.” or “Brave,” so that when a woman picked it up, she felt uplifted and empowered. “Stuff a Purse” actually came before Pain 2 Purpose.

As I got more involved, people started inviting me to speak at events. After sharing my story, including my experience with domestic violence, two women approached me to share their own stories. That moment inspired me to Open up even more and begin my speaking journey.The name Pain 2 Purpose came from a news article I once read about a woman whose husband, a police officer, was tragically killed. She mentioned how she was finding a way to Turn her pain into purpose, and that phrase stuck with me. It perfectly captured what I wanted. To do: transform hardship into healing and hope for others. 

What has been the most rewarding part about your path in helping survivors like yourself? Do you have any advice for others that would like to start a nonprofit to help the community and people around the world?

The most rewarding part for me is hearing from survivors who share that they’ve left their situations and are thriving, or when teens come up to me and say they’ve realized they were abusive behaviors and are now working to change. Those moments are incredibly meaningful, especially when people tell me they didn’t know the signs before but learned them through our workshops and events. My advice: build a strong support system; you can’t do this work alone. It’s demanding and emotional, so if you’re a survivor yourself, make sure you have counseling or a safe space to process, because triggers will come up and it can take a toll on your own mental health. When I first started, I reached out to shelters and began building relationships in the community. I made it a point to attend other nonprofit events, connect with people doing similar work, and Find opportunities to collaborate. Networking and collaboration are key; that’s how you Expand your impact.

As a survivor of domestic violence, what do you recommend to current women and men in that position to do to get the resources?

I always recommend reaching out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline; they’re an incredible resource and can connect you with local support in your community. The most important step is to create an exit plan. That means knowing where you’ll go, how you’ll Communicate with your employer, who can help pick you up and who will care for your children. Having a clear plan in place is critical, because the period right after leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous. Knowing exactly what steps to take and who’s in Your corner can help protect your safety and give you the best chance to move forward. 

What is your message to domestic abuse victims that may feel embarrassed to seek help?

I know it can feel embarrassing to open up, but the truth is, people can’t help if they don’t. know what you’re going through. It’s so important to let trusted people in your life, whether That’s family, friends, or even your employer, know what’s happening. The more support you have around you, the stronger and safer your path forward will be. 

Tell us about your journey of depression and healing. What helped and motivated you? During that time, what would you like to share to help others?

I just kept pushing forward, and I thank God I had the mental strength to keep going. During that relationship, I fell into a depression and even attempted suicide, something I had never struggled with before. Thankfully, that attempt was unsuccessful. Looking back, I would never recommend anyone go through it alone the way I did. My advice is to seek help; therapy can be a powerful tool, and having people you can turn to and process your thoughts, which makes all the difference. What ultimately kept me going was the desire to live and the realization that I needed to rediscover what truly made me happy. That became my motivation to keep moving forward.

Where do you see yourself in the next three years? 

My hope is to speak on even bigger platforms and allow God to enlarge my territory and reach. You’d be surprised how many people don’t recognize the red flags or even realize they’re in abusive relationships. I also dream of creating a safe space for both men and women going through these situations. a place where they can stay while they get back on their feet, with access to crucial support like counseling and financial guidance. It’s about offering not just shelter, but real tools for healing and rebuilding.

What are some things our readers can look forward to in the future? 

Every year, we host several key events that have become the heart of our mission. In February,We hold our yearly Teen Summit, focusing on topics like bullying and depression. We bring in clinicians to lead breakout sessions, and we even have dedicated discussions for parents to Help them support their teens. We also run our Exit Plan Workshop, which guides individuals on how to safely prepare to Leave an abusive relationship. We work with people from all walks of life to provide them with a clear blueprint for moving forward. Another event is our Survivors Ball, held annually in late September or early October. It’s a gala designed to empower survivors who have never shared their stories before, often inspiring them to speak out or even launch their own nonprofits. This event also serves as one of our major yearly fundraisers. And throughout the year, we keep our Stuff-a-Purse initiative going strong, with quarterly donations to ensure women in shelters feel seen, supported, and uplifted.

Photo Credit : Shanda Roberts | @bearjordan84