Patriots coach Bill Belichick will be joined by 14 players "wearing special cleats" for Sunday’s game against the Bills as part of the NFL's “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign, according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Belichick will be "wearing custom Nike footwear promoting his foundation," and the sneakers are "painted like brown footballs down the middle and have the Bill Belichick Foundation logo on one side and a lacrosse stick on the other side." The campaign is in its second season and "allows players to express individualism with their cleats and promote any charity or cause of their choice." NFL Exec VP/Communications Joe Lockhart said that approximately 1,000 players "will participate this weekend." Patriots OT Nate Solder will "wear shoes with a picture of his son, Hudson, who is battling cancer," in support of former Patriot Joe Andruzzi's foundation and the Jimmy Fund. Patriots DT Lawrence Guy will "wear shoes with Vegas Strong on one side, honoring his hometown, and support of the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep foundation on the other, which assists parents who lose a pregnancy" (
BOSTON GLOBE, 11/29).
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Hood has elected to bring awareness to autism due to his son having the condition
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CAUSE & EFFECT: In DC, Master Tesfatsion notes DT Ziggy Hood will be "one of many Redskins players participating" in the campaign. Hood "elected to bring awareness to autism, a cause that’s personal to his family." Hood’s oldest son, Josiah, has the condition, and Hood’s cleats will be "designed with puzzle pieces, the primary symbol for autism," with his son’s name written on the toebox. Redskins CB Josh Norman and LB Zach Brown will "promote helping inner-city children through different causes." Norman will "wear cleats that feature his charity, Starz24, which intends to 'provide enrichment to children through community events and youth programs.'” Brown "will support Inner City Visions." LB Ryan Kerrigan will "promote his organization, the Blitz for the Better Foundation, which works with schools in the greater Washington area to raise awareness and help children suffering from chronic illnesses" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/29).
LEAGUE WIDE: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan notes Bengals DE Michael Johnson, Falcons CB Brian Poole, Jets LB Demario Davis, Giants TE Matt LaCosse and Eagles DE Brandon Graham have chosen causes "dealing with the issues of social injustice, crime, police, kids and schools." Johnson will look to bring children "together with the police, among various programs of his MJ93-90 Fund." His cleats will read, "I am part of the solution,” featuring children and the police holding hands. Poole will support Eagle Ranch, a community "helping children and families going through crisis." Included on his cleats will be a "photo of Poole and his father." Davis has partnered with the United Way on his Devoted Dreamers Academy, an "annual seven-week summer mentoring camp for kids in Jackson, Miss." LaCosse has partnered with Chance the Rapper’s "youth empowerment charity in Chicago," SocialWorks. Represented on his cleats will be the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago flag and city skyline. Graham is in his "second year of working" with RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) and will represent the initiative on his cleats (USA TODAY, 11/29).
