Watch: Tennessee's Drew Beam explains how his purple glove honors his sister

On3 imageby:Grant Ramey•04/05/23•

GrantRamey

Drew Beam’s purple glove stands out on the mound. But that’s exactly what the Tennessee baseball sophomore right-handed pitcher wants. In a video from Tennessee athletics on Wednesday, Beam explained how his purple glove honors his sister, Carlee, to bring awareness to Spinal Muscular Atrophy:

Drew Beam: “My sister’s name is Carlee Beam and she’s 15 years old. She was diagnosed at an early age with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, better known as SMA. Since she was young she’s been wheelchair bound. And that’s been a big part of our family’s lives. It’’s made a big impact not only on her, but how me and my family live, how our house looks, what restaurants we can go to, what restaurants we can’t, such things like that. It has really changed our whole aspect of our life. 

“SMA’s primary color is purple. So whenever I got the chance to create a glove, first thing I was thinking was purple because, one, it’s not a normal color to see here on campus at Tennessee. So I just knew it would bring questions and bring heightened sense around it. And I have people ask questions about it, so we can get some awareness out about my sister’s disability. 

“At the point with my sister now, she’s getting to the age where she’s old enough to have to be more independent and stuff. She has gotten so far along that some of the new drugs that come out won’t really affect her as much and slow the process of SMA deteriorating her muscles and stuff. But it’s never going to reverse. But if I get the awareness out enough, money can be raised … these kids are born with SMA, they can get the drugs earlier and it could maybe reverse and change their life.

“As much as I want it for my sister and for my mom to be independent and on her own, it’s also for the other families that are affected by SMA. Because I know how hard it is and how much you have to pivot and change your lifestyle.

“With the purple glove, if I happen to struggle or anything while I’m on the mound, I take a look (at the glove) and think about all the trials and things she goes through, the trouble she goes through, and she still fights through every day. She’s the manager for her cheer team and they just won nationals. So she does a lot of things even though she has troubles. So (I) just take a look at that purple glove and think she gets through things, so I can fight through things as well. 

“When I’m not on the mound and such, I have a purple bracelet for her. They obviously don’t let me wear it on the mound, but that’s just something I have with me everyday that continues to let me see her and think about her whenever I’m going through troubles. Then after the game she’s always the first person there, she always has a smile on her face. I think every person in the stadium at Lindsey Nelson knows exactly who she is and says hi to her. They’re all so nice to her. It’s just always nice to see her after games and knowing to never give up. There’s always an answer to something. She’s taught me that. To stay strong and be courageous in everything I do.”

Beam was an All American as a freshman, with an 8-1 record and 2.72 ERA while starting 15 times in his 16 appearances. This season he’s off to a 3-1 start with a 2.51 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched.

He’s not the only Tennessee player with a glove. The Vols also highlighted outfielder Christian Scott, who wears a blue glove in honor of Autism awareness. 

Christian Scott: “When we went to look at the gloves and everything — they came to the field — and I saw on the internet they had an Autism Speaks (glove), which is showcasing Autism. I was like, how cool would it be to have a meaningful glove? I just remind myself everyday when I’m out there, hey, have fun, there are kids that aren’t fortunate enough to be out there. So I think that just gives (me) the passion and drive I have to keep going each day. I think just from my last year, it holds a lot more than just a glove. It holds meaning and passion behind Autism.”

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