NFL Players Make Meaningful Difference through My Cause My Cleats

NFL players across the league will wear their hearts on their cleats for the fourth-straight year of the My Cause My Cleats campaign. On Thanksgiving Day, awareness raising television spots will air, followed by a league-wide Unboxing Day. On Giving Tuesday, December 3, during all Week 14 games, players will wear custom-painted cause-inspired cleats.

“The positive influence of NFL players extends far beyond the field, a time of year, or the game itself,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “What makes ‘My Cause My Cleats’ so special, is that it provides players with an opportunity to bring attention to – and raise awareness and money for – the causes that are closest to their hearts. The fact that more than half of the players in the league are participating this year underscores the tremendous passion they have for giving back.”

More than 900 players are planning to showcase their causes on-field during games this season.

Selected causes represent hundreds of different charitable organizations with varying focuses. Out of the total, 24 percent of participating players will represent causes related to health and wellness, 18 percent place emphasis on cancer awareness and prevention, while 17 percent of player causes were youth-focused. Players will share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media, using the hashtag #MyCauseMyCleats. Players and teams worked directly with Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and local artists to customize and design their cleats.

This year, the NFL collaborated with The Shoe Surgeon, a custom shoe designer, to design the cleats of Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Gurley’s cleats will highlight his foundation, the M.A.D.E Sports Foundation, an organization that uses sports to show youth they can make a difference through their actions and ultimately make the world a better place. Prescott will support his own Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation, which focuses on fighting cancer and aiding those facing life-challenging hardships. Rodgers will wear cleats in support of the North Valley Community Foundation in light of recent devastations in Northern California.

“It was amazing to collaborate with NFL on the My Cause My Cleat campaign this year,” said Dominic Ciambrone, aka The Shoe Surgeon, “and to work with each of the players to bring their visions to life and drive awareness to these significant causes through the designs and details of the cleats.”

Complex will distribute behind-the-scenes player interviews and footage of Gurley’s cleat customization with The Shoe Surgeon across Complex Sports social platforms and via Complex.com.

Players can also raise funds for their cause of choice through auctioning their cleats via NFL Auction.

100% of funds raised will be donated to charities selected by players. Fans may bid on game-issued player cleats at NFL.com/Auction and help players like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes raise funds for their causes. In addition, fans can visit www.nfl.com/mycausemycleats to learn more about each player’s cause.

My Cause My Cleats national television spots featuring San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida, 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas, and Denver Broncos cornerback Kareem Jackson will launch during NFL games on Thanksgiving Day. NFL Network will also air features highlighting the efforts of Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, Bears safety Eddie Jackson, and Patriots linebacker Donta’ Hightower starting on December 2. Tune in to learn more about their causes.