Browns players support charitable initiatives through NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign (12.5.19)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 5, 2019
BEREA, Ohio – As part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign, more than 20 Browns players designed custom cleats to raise awareness for initiatives that have a personal meaning to each individual. Players will have the opportunity to wear the cleats during Week 14 when the Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals.
The My Cause, My Cleats initiative, launched in 2016, is a culmination of collaborative work between the NFL and players across the league through which more than 800 players plan to raise awareness for philanthropic organizations and movements by wearing unique cleats.
Additionally, Browns alumnus LT Joe Thomas, currently an NFL Network analyst, will join the NFL GameDay Kickoff team in creating custom cleats as part of the initiative. Thomas – who has been a strong advocate for local educational initiatives since being selected by Cleveland in 2007 – chose to highlight the Cleveland Browns Foundation’s “Get 2 School, Stay in the Game!” Network, a statewide initiative designed to promote the importance of school attendance and put an end to chronic absenteeism.
Browns players participating in My Cause, My Cleats:
| Player | Cause/Charity | Notes |
| WR Odell Beckham Jr. | Berea Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) | Berea Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) is a no-time-limit animal shelter that rescues stray and homeless companion animals, provides medical care, spay/neuter, vaccinations and housing, and prepares animals for adoption into loving homes. |
| G Joel Bitonio | American Heart Association | Bitonio’s father, Mike, passed away after sustaining a heart attack while Bitonio was in college. The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. AHA is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, AHA funds innovative research, advocates for the public’s health and shares lifesaving resources. |
| DT Brandin Bryant | Uplifting Athletes | Bryant chose to highlight Uplifting Athletes as he believes pro athletes have the ability to inspire others, particularly youth, by doing what they love. Uplifting Athletes’ mission is to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. |
| S Juston Burris | Dream the Impossible | Burris’ is advocating for mental health awareness efforts through his commitment to Dream the Impossible, a foundation launched by his former NY Jets teammate and current Jaguars S Doug Middleton. Dream the Impossible was started to fix the lack of awareness surrounding mental health in the African American community. |
| CB T.J. Carrie | T.J. Carrie Foundation;
Heart disease |
The TJ Carrie Foundation was established in 2016 with the mission to help youth discover their greatness through health, education and community programs and events. |
| TE Demetrius Harris | Asthma and Allergy; Foundation of America Children with food allergies | Harris’ son, Trey (peanuts), and other members of his family are faced with daily obstacles as the result of food allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. |
| RB Dontrell Hilliard | Fuel Up to Play 60;
Gun violence prevention |
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). |
| T Chris Hubbard | Infertility/NAMI | Hubbard is a strong advocate for mental health resources and awareness, particularly after receiving personal assistance when he and his wife, Tamara, were trying to have their first child. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. |
| RB D’Ernest Johnson | Ocean conservancy | When between rosters, Johnson spent time with a friend working on a fishing boat in Key West. |
| T Kendall Lamm | American Cancer Society;
Breast cancer |
Lamm’s grandmother, Susan, was his primary caregiver for much of his life and has battled breast cancer. The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is attacking cancer from every angle. |
| WR Jarvis Landry | Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | One of Landry’s close high school friends had CF (NFL.com feature), resulting in Landry closely seeing and understanding the effects of the disease. The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to end CF and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to high-quality, specialized care. |
| QB Baker Mayfield | Special Olympics
#StandWithRayden |
The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. |
| TE David Njoku | Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center | The Mission of Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center is to empower individuals, educate the community and advocate for justice to end domestic violence and child abuse. |
| DT Larry Ogunjobi | Fuel Up to Play 60;
Youth health and wellness |
Prior to starting his football career in high school, Ogunjobi personally struggled with his weight and ultimately lost more than 100 pounds. To promote youth health and wellness, he has teamed up with Fuel Up To Play 60. |
| S Damarious Randall | United Way of Greater Cleveland;
Stuttering Association for the Young |
The Stuttering Association for the Young is a national non-profit organization that empowers, educates, and supports young people who stutter and the world that surrounds them.
United Way of Greater Cleveland is a leader in mobilizing people to give, advocate and volunteer to advance education, income and health in the local community. Join and LIVE UNITED. For more information, visit UnitedWayCleveland.org |
| WR Damion Ratley | Freedom for Animals | Freedom for Animals began as the Captive Animals’ Protection Society in 1957. Through a combination of undercover investigations, research, campaigns, grassroots activism, political lobbying and education, our work for animals focuses predominantly on issues affecting those individuals held captive in circuses, zoos and aquariums, as well as those used in the television and film industry, live animal displays and the exotic pet trade. |
| S Sheldrick Redwine | National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Redwine’s cousin, Destyni Scott, and their family are affected daily by multiple sclerosis. The National MS Society’s vision is a world free of MS and its mission is for people affected by MS to live their best lives with the ultimate goal to stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. |
| DT Sheldon Richardson | Boys and Girls Club | Boys and Girls Club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. |
| LB Joe Schobert | Sherpa Education Fund | An outdoor and hiking enthusiast, Schobert appreciates the important role that Sherpa’s hold, as well as the inherent challenges the group faces. The Sherpa Education Fund was created to provide funds to educate children in Nepal. The motivation originated from families seeking an education for their children. It is the hope of the Sherpa Education Fund that through education these students will enhance their communities by sharing knowledge and generating resources in the future. |
| K Austin Seibert | Back the Blue/Police Force | Seibert is passionate in his support of local law enforcement and their efforts to provide their communities a safe environment to live on a daily basis. |
| CB Tavierre Thomas | Lung cancer | Thomas’ grandfather, Jennoris Jackson, passed away as a result of lung cancer. |
| CB Denzel Ward | Make Them Know Your Name Foundation;
Heart Health |
Ward’s father, Paul G. Ward Jr., passed away due to cardiac arrest that ultimately could have been prevented with earlier detection and intervention. “Make Them Know Your Name” is a mantra for Ward both on and off the field, inspired by his father. |
| LB Mack Wilson | Autism awareness | Wilson is close friends with Caleb Collins, who is impacted by autism. Caleb, for whom Wilson also serves as a godfather, is the little brother of one of Wilson’s best friends. |
To learn more about the My Cause, My Cleats campaign, visit www.nfl.com/mycausemycleats.
Media resources:
Photos of select Browns players’ cleats are available upon request through Rob McBurnett (RMcBurnett@ClevelandBrowns.com, 440-824-6175).
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