For the fifth-consecutive season, NFL players are raising awareness for non-profit organizations and causes on the field through the My Cause My Cleats campaign. This year a record number of more than 1,000 players are participating, highlighting efforts to help make a difference in communities across the country.
The player-led campaign began in 2016 and has since provided a platform to bring causes they are most passionate about to the forefront on gameday. This year’s causes include topics such as tackling social injustice, supporting families in the wake of COVID-19, and bridging the digital divide.
Out of all participants, 20.5 percent of players selected social justice causes, 17 percent selected causes related to youth and education while 14 percent of players will support health and wellness-related initiatives.
Players worked with artists and cleat manufacturers to create their custom-designed cleats and wore them throughout Week 13 which culminated with the Baltimore Ravens/Dallas Cowboys game on Tuesday night. Some NFL teams that didn’t have a home game in Week 13 will showcase their cleats during Week 14.
Even coaches such as Washington Football Team’s Ron Rivera participated in the campaign. After recovering from lymph node cancer, Rivera fittingly chose the American Cancer Society for his charity.
“My Cause My Cleats was created out of conversations with NFL players who wanted an opportunity to shed light on causes that mean the most to them,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Season after season I am inspired by the growing number of NFL players that participate in My Cause My Cleats and the causes they represent,” he continued. Each player has a story to tell and we are grateful for the impact they make in the communities in which they live and work, and society in general.”
Here is a look at some of the causes players showed off for the My Cause My Cleats campaign: