JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Christmas came early for the Jaguars with today’s official celebration of “Unboxing Day” for the NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats campaign. An NFL tradition, the Jaguars unveiled brand-new custom footwear for players and coaches that will showcase causes that are important to them. The Jaguars players and coaches will wear their shoes in their Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday, Dec. 4.
More than 50 Jaguars players and coaches have elected to participate in the campaign this year and have worked with local and national artists to customize cleats to represent an issue or organization that is of special significance to them. For a complete list of participating players, high resolution imagery of select shoe designs and b-roll, please click here.
Each pair of shoes tells a personal story, and many will be donated to raise funds for their chosen organization. Participants are raising awareness for a variety of causes, from special education to cancer awareness to youth mentorship. In his rookie season, Jaguars LB Chad Muma is representing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“I’m representing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on my cleats because I want kids to know that T1D doesn't define your life,” said Muma. “I was diagnosed with T1D when I was 13-years-old and today I’m an NFL player. If you’re living with T1D, whatever goals you have, either sports or other walks of life, just go attack it!”
Some players are raising awareness for organizations that they’ve supported since college including OL Luke Fortner and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital where he frequently volunteered, and K Riley Patterson and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he completed two internships. Many players and coaches are representing causes in memory of a beloved family member.
“This season my cleats will honor my ‘Nani,’ Janie Carolyn, who recently passed away from Alzheimer's,” said Jaguars WR Zay Jones. “She was the foundation of our family and had the biggest heart. I honor her memory, today and always.”
Jacksonville-based organizations are also represented throughout this year’s My Cause My Cleats campaign. WR Jamal Agnew is recognizing the Jacksonville Public Education Fund “The Ones” program, while OLB Josh Allen is highlighting the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida with whom he recently celebrated Thanksgiving. On the sidelines, 22 members of the Jaguars coaching staff will be representing the Jaguars Foundation. QB Trevor Lawrence will recognize LiftJax and the Outeast community just next door to TIAA Bank Field.
“The future of Jacksonville is extremely important to me and my wife, Marissa, and that’s why we chose to represent LiftJax, an organization committed to bringing change and working to eliminate poverty right here in Jacksonville,” said Lawrence. “LiftJax plays a role as one of the community’s quarterbacks and as one of the Jaguars quarterbacks, I applaud and support all they are doing to improve the wellbeing of all of Jacksonville’s Eastside residents.”
