NFL Players Highlight Causes On and Off Field Through My Cause My Cleats Initiative
Record Number of NFL Players, Coaches and Staff Participate in Eighth Season of My Cause My Cleats
NEW YORK — Nov. 27, 2023 — Starting today, NFL players, coaches and staff across the league will unveil customized cleats recognizing various causes and non-profit organizations they support for My Cause My Cleats. Now in its eighth season, My Cause My Cleats celebrates the positive impact players make in communities across the world by highlighting relevant issues and causes on specially designed cleats throughout games during Weeks 13 and 14 of the NFL season.
Officially launched in 2016, the initiative allows players to use their platforms, both on and off the field, to bring important causes to the forefront. This season, almost half of the participating players, coaches and team staff have chosen to support various forms of cancer and other physical health-related causes, such as raising awareness of neurodegenerative disorders and promoting preventive services for conditions like diabetes. Participants have also identified a number of other important causes to support, including promoting mental health services in underserved communities, empowering youth, advancing various women’s health initiatives, supporting social justice and highlighting resources to assist people affected by domestic violence. Learn more about each player’s cause here.
To bring their designs to life and showcase their causes in a unique way, players collaborate with cleat manufacturers and designers each season to create these custom-designed cleats. NFL teams without a home game during Week 13 may also wear cleats during Week 13 away games or at home during Week 14.
“Every year, players across the league have the opportunity to share the off-field causes that matter most to them during My Cause My Cleats,» said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “These important causes, ranging from youth and education to health and wellness, help strengthen our communities, and the league is grateful for our players’ continued support of this important initiative.»
“We are thrilled to once again provide players, coaches and team staff the platform to showcase causes that are meaningful to them on the field through My Cause My Cleats,» said NFL Senior Vice President of Player Operations Tracy Perlman. “The record levels of participation in this season’s initiative underscore the collective commitment across the league to making a positive difference in our communities.»
The NFL kicked off this year’s My Cause My Cleats initiative during the Thanksgiving NFL games with promotional efforts including a marketing spot featuring the many causes that NFL players have chosen to support. The 90-second spot features Alec Ingold of the Miami Dolphins, Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers and DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans. Ingold will bring attention to the important work of Child Net in connecting vulnerable youth in South Florida to critical resources, including foster care and adoption services. Jones will highlight his organization, the A&A All The Way Foundation, and its efforts to positively impact the lives of our nation’s youth. Additionally, Hopkins will promote the essential work of the non-profit S.M.O.O.O.T.H., which empowers women affected by the perils of domestic violence.
Following Week 13 games, select players will donate their cleats by auctioning them on NFL Auction. The NFL does not profit from the sale of these cleats. All funds raised will be donated by the NFL Foundation to each player’s selected charity. Fans may bid on these cleats at NFL.com/Auction throughout 2024.
Visa, the official Payment Services Technology Partner of the NFL, is working with the NFL to increase the impact for player supported charities by enabling football fans to make additional donations to select players’ causes. Following a successful pilot in 2022, fans can now support more player-led causes and donate regardless of whether they bid on cleats via a donate-now button on participating players’ pages. Through this enhanced partnership, Visa and the NFL are expanding the options for fans to engage with and support player-led causes.
