What Jason Kelce, Other NFL Players Are Supporting

Hundreds of NFL players across the league will take the field on Sunday wearing customized cleats showcasing causes near and dear to them.

The league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative launched in 2016. It aims to celebrate the positive impact players can make in communities by highlighting relevant issues. And that’s where the cleats come in.

The specially designed footwear can be worn during Weeks 13 and 14 to help bring issues to the forefront. Select players will donate their cleats by auctioning them, with funds to be donated by the NFL Foundation to each player’s charity.

“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 Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, in a release.

“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.”

According to the NFL, almost half of the participating players and staff members have chosen to support various forms of cancer and other physical health-related causes.

Player causes can be found on team websites around the league. Many of them, and their teams, are also sharing their stories on X, formerly Twitter, using the hashtag “#MyCauseMyCleats.”

Several franchises, including the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams, have released videos where their players describe their cause and its meaning to them.

Here’s a look at a few specific NFL players and the causes behind their cleats.

Jason Kelce My Cause My Cleats

Philadelphia Eagles center Kelce will wear cleats in support of two foundations on Sunday.

The first, (Be)Philly, is a non-profit fighting for a “brighter future for the next generation of Philadelphians.” The other shoe shows support of the Eagles Autism Foundation, which advocates for autism research, empathy, and unity.

DeAndre Hopkins My Cause My Cleats

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Hopkins is using his platform to support S.M.O.O.O.T.H., a non-profit connecting domestic violence survivors to resources and financial assistance. Hopkins shared in a video posted by the NFL on X his personal connection to domestic violence.

“What gives me the fuel to want to help is my mom, who is blind from a domestic violence situation,” Hopkins said. “And her drive that she has every day—waking up to continue life. Not making any excuses and still doing what she loves to do, and that’s helping other people.”

David Njoku My Cause My Cleats

Days before a Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns tight end Njoku suffered severe burns during a household incident.

Njoku opened up about the experience earlier this week as a way to raise awareness for the American Burn Association. The 27-year-old, in a video released by the Browns, said he has a bonfire every Friday. But in that instance, as he was setting it up, he ran out of his normal lighter fluid that he used to soak the wood, so he used a different bottle.

“It was a spray instead of one you pour,” Njoku said in the video. “I sprayed it down, waited a little bit, and I guess the lighter fluid was still in the air, because when I lit it up, it just exploded. I saw the fire come from my wrists and then blew up in my face. I didn’t really feel the pain because it happened so fast.”

Njoku’s doctor revealed in the video that about 17 to 18 percent of the surface area on his body suffered a burn of second-degree partial thickness. That was described as “probably the most painful burn you can have.”

The tight end said that many burn victims who are self-conscious of their scars and afraid to show their face reached out in the aftermath. That’s why, Njoku said, he chose to display his wounds. And now he is using his cleats in an effort to make more of a difference.

“The flesh is weak” can be read on Njoku’s customized cleats, which also include a photo of the tight end after the incident and a shout-out to the American Burn Association.

Trevor Lawrence My Cause My Cleats

As the Jacksonville Jaguars have pointed out in their social media posts, each player’s cleats have a different purpose this weekend. And quarterback Lawrence’s purpose is to raise awareness for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of great mentors guide me throughout my life, and I want all kids to feel that same kind of encouragement,” Lawrence said in a statement on X. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida helps create connections and give youth additional support to make positive choices and achieve their dreams. It’s an honor to represent what BBBS means to these kids through their own words on my cleats this season.”

Shaquil Barrett My Cause My Cleats

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Barrett and his wife, Jordanna, lost their daughter Arrayah after she drowned in April. They founded Arrayah Hope Inc. in her honor, an organization that raises awareness around pool safety and provides free swimming lessons for children in Florida and Colorado.

Barrett will wear cleats reading “Arrayah Hope Inc.” against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.