Beginning November 25, 2024 NFL players, coaches and staff across the league will reveal custom, specially designed cleats bringing attention to various causes and non-profit organizations they support through My Cause My Cleats. This year, Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge have both chosen to support mental health by representing The Hidden Opponent (THO) through their cleats!
THO is a 50(1)(c) nonprofit that provides mental health education, awareness, and support for athletes and coaches. Founded in 2020 by former USC volleyball player, TEDx speaker, and Forbes 30-Under-30 influencer Victoria Browne, the organization supports thousands of high school and collegiate student-athletes each year through a peer-based mental health program called Campus Captains. Additional programming focuses on education and support for Coaches and Professionals who support student-athletes.
“I feel it is important to embrace student athletes’ mental health because there is tons of pressure on them as I have dealt with it myself. I feel The Hidden Opponent has a great mission and plan to help student athletes embrace and own their mental health and not let the outside world make them feel less than,” said KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta Falcons.
Launched in 2016, the My Cause My Cleats initiative allows players to use their platforms, both on and off the field, to advocate for causes important to them while celebrating the positive impact the NFL Family makes in communities across the world. This season, more than 1,400 participants— players, coaches, Legends and staff— are highlighting relevant issues and nonprofit organizations on their cleats during games in Week 13-14 of the season.
“Mental health is important to me because it affected my dad. Athletes go through a lot —day in and day out —people don’t know what we go through. The stuff that we go through is hard to talk about. People need to know what’s really going on and The Hidden Opponent helps spread that awareness," said Branch, in a video interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show.
“Through My Cause My Cleats, the league brings attention to hundreds of nonprofit organizations the NFL Family supports year-round," said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “We are appreciative of the passion players, coaches and Legends bring to this initiative each season and are grateful for the dedication shown to amplifying causes that mean the most to them."
Following Week 13 and 14 games, players can choose to donate their cleats by auctioning them on NFL Auction. The NFL does not profit from the sale of these cleats. All funds raised will be donated by the NFL Foundation to each player's selected charity. Fans may bid on these cleats throughout the season here.
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