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Kalan Hooks, ESPN
ESPN and the V Foundation are committed to the fight against cancer. V Week continues through Dec. 15. If you are able, please support cancer research by visiting V.org/donate.
Weeks 14 and 15 in the NFL dive deeper than the game and give players a chance to detail their cleats for a charitable cause.
Each year during V Week, NFL stars participate in the “#MyCauseMyCleats” campaign, which allows players to don unique pairs of custom cleats that aren’t team-themed but fall within compliance with the NFL uniform policy.
The special footwear serves as a canvas for storytelling of a charity, an illness a player beat, or support for a loved one who died of an illness.
For Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, his cleats hit close to home, commemorating his late family friend, Ryan Roberson.
Roberson died in 2019 of Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancerous tumor that forms in the bones or soft tissues. Smith-Njigba’s cleats support the Little Warrior Foundation — an organization that supports the research for Ewing’s sarcoma — with a pair of white Nike cleats that has Roberson’s name embedded in the swoosh, and the Little Warrior Foundation logo on the toe. The Seahawks wide receiver also has his initials “J$N” on the tongue of the cleats.
“Losing Ryan to Ewing’s sarcoma was devastating, but it inspired me to fight for a future where kids like him have hope and better options,” Smith-Njigba said in a statement provided by Excel Sports Management. “I’m proud to support the Little Warrior Foundation in his memory.”
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell‘s cause is even more personal. The Texas Longhorns standout was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. But through his diagnosis, Mitchell has been passionate about spreading awareness about diabetes, especially for children.
“Living with Type 1 diabetes has taught me resilience and the importance of community,” Mitchell said in a statement provided by Excel Sports Management. “I want every child living with diabetes to know they are not alone and that we’re fighting together.”
The Colts wide receiver will be supporting Children with Diabetes, an organization dedicated to educating and providing support to families with Type 1 diabetes, with lime green, teal and light orange Adidas cleats that display the organization’s smiley-face logo in the three-striped design, along with the organization’s slogan.
Here are more cleats with causes around the NFL for V Week and the #MyCauseMyCleats campaign.
highlighting legacies 🇺🇸 @terencesteele78 is joining the @MohMuseum to help shine a light on the sacrifice of our service members. #MyCauseMyCleats | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/IjuYw9TTIG
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 3, 2024
playing for a purpose 🏈@clark_damone is fueling support for youth athletes by highlighting South Baton Rouge Jaguars.#MyCauseMyCleats | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/UhsjE5XqYH
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 3, 2024
The family you choose 🥹
This year, Kaden Elliss partnered with Georgia Kids Belong for #MyCauseMyCleats pic.twitter.com/e9Pj3oeeTi
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 29, 2024
This is so awesome. 🥹
Special thanks to Bella and Blake for helping @JoshAllenQB design his 2024 #MyCauseMyCleats.@awscloud | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/appVi4YwSe
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 28, 2024
“I had the privilege to host the @puppyjakefdn at our Salute to Service game… and name a dog that will be able to help a Veteran transition back into civilian life.” 🐶@AllenLazard | #MyCauseMyCleats pic.twitter.com/6daM1JgcLE
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 28, 2024
one last look at some of tonight’s #MyCauseMyCleats before we see them in action pic.twitter.com/L7kb4yGSPt
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 3, 2024
Source: www.espn.com