JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This week, Jacksonville Jaguars players and coaches unveiled new footwear, customized with artwork representing the individual causes they support, for the NFL's 8th annual My Cause My Cleats initiative. Jaguars players and coaches will wear their new cleats in the Week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals this Monday, Dec. 4.
More than 60 Jaguars players and 30 coaches are participating in this season's initiative which celebrates the passion they have for off-the-field causes and organizations.
This year's chosen causes range from health-related issues, community outreach, military appreciation, youth education and several others. To design the cleats, players and coaches collaborated with national artists for their cause and following this week's game, many will be donated to raise funds for their charity through NFL Auction.
Several players chose to display artwork from patients or students from their specific cause, including Jaguars TE Evan Engram who is representing the North Florida School of Special Education. The artwork was created by a school student and was replicated on his cleats. "Volunteering with children and adults with intellectual and developmental differences always brings me joy," said Engram. "I'm grateful to surround myself with such high-spirited individuals and proud to represent the North Florida School for Special Education through the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative."
Jaguars LS Ross Matiscik is also featuring artwork from his cause, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, a nonprofit the provides comprehensive support to families of children living with cancer. Regarding his connection to the organization, Matiscik said, "Earlier this year, I got to spend time with a great group of kids from the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund that were, unfortunately, fighting childhood cancer. I was inspired by the positivity and strength they showed in their battle and wanted to represent the Jay Fund on my cleats in support of those kids and their families."
Many players are also representing their own foundations on their cleats. This year, Jaguars OLB Josh Allen surprised OLB Travon Walker by also representing his teammate's foundation, The Travon Walker Foundation which is committed to empowering youth to reach their full potential.
"Travon is not only a teammate, but a true brother of mine and I'm so proud of his hard work in creating the Travon Walker Foundation. He and his family are making a difference here in Duval and back in his hometown of Thomaston, Ga.," said Allen.
With the rich military tradition in Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia, military appreciation and support is a cause that is close to the heart of many players and coaches. As the son of two U.S. Navy veterans, the Jaguars 2023 Salute to Service nominee LB Devin Lloyd is naturally representing the USO. "I understand firsthand the sacrifices military personnel and their families make to protect our country," said Lloyd. "Their commitment to service is why I'm representing the USO on my cleats. We can never say thank you enough."
For a complete list of participating players, high resolution imagery of select shoe designs and b-roll, view them on the Jaguars’ My Cause My Cleats website.
