JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Since 2016, the National Football League (NFL) has been committed to its 'My Cause My Cleats' initiative annually, as players and coaches across the league wear special customized cleats and shoes to raise awareness for a cause or causes near and dear to their hearts.
This year in the NFL, players will showcase their custom-designed cleats during weeks 13 and 14. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, more than 50 players and 26 coaches are participating in the initiative, according to a news release from the team. They'll wear the cleats on Sunday against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium.
Cleat artists Soles by Sir, Joe Castro and Dillion DeJesus were commissioned to bring the designs to life, the release states.
Here are photos of and the meaning behind some Jaguars players' cleats for the league's 9th annual initiative.
Trevor Lawrence
The inspiration for the design of the Jags' franchise quarterback's cleats came as he and his wife, Marissa, decided they wanted to "do more" after taking several trips to Wolfson's Children's Hospital in Jacksonville to visit patients, according to the team's website.
Lawrence says he and Marissa have become ambassadors for the hospital this season and that using them for this year's My Cause My Cleat (MCMC) initiative only made sense.
"As soon-to-be parents ourselves, it gives us a lot of joy to support kids in a Jacksonville community that has so warmly embraced us," Lawrence said on the Jags' website.
Brian Thomas Jr.
Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is an ambassador much like Lawrence is, but instead for Nemours Children's Health. The hospital is explicitly incorporated into the design of his cleats, with its name written directly across the upper.
The Jaguars say Thomas Jr. has quickly become a part of the Jacksonville community through volunteering.
"I want to make a difference on and off the field in my rookie year. This season, I have been blessed to work with Nemours Children’s Health and am proud to represent them through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. Their mission to provide hope and healing to children and their families resonates with me, and I want to be a positive influence on the youth to prioritize their health to achieve their dreams," said in the release.
Evan Engram
Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram's cleats represent the North Florida School of Special Education.
Engram is in his third year playing for the Jaguars and says he's "honored" to once again represent the school on his cleats.
"Ever since I came to Jacksonville, I fell in love with the students' energy toward life despite the adversity they face on a daily basis. Seeing the pure joy and happiness that they radiate each time I visit inspires me, and I hope that I can bring the same positivity to their lives," Engram said on the Jags' website.
Josh Hines-Allen
The design of Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen's cleats reflects his organization.
"As a father of three, empowering youth to succeed is a cause that is personal to me. My wife, Kaitlyn, and I founded the Four One For All Foundation to support the well-being of children from all walks of life here in Jacksonville, including the disabled and underserved. Jacksonville has done so much for me, and I'm proud to be able to give back to the city and represent our foundation for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative this season," Hines-Allen said on the Jags' website.
Foye Oluokun
Foyesade Oluokun's cleats represents a charter school for middle school students where he's from.
Oluokun's cleats is designed after Lift For Life Academy in St. Louis, founded in 2000. Part of Lift For Life Academy's mission is "to provide a rigorous and relevant curriculum along with extra support services, interventions and resources to engage at-risk students from underserved families to get them on track to graduate, prepared for college, career and civic life," according to the school's website.
For the full list of Jaguars' cleats designs and meaning behind them, click here.
