Lions players shared their excitement to participate in the NFL's 'Your Cause, Your Cleats' campaign after practice Friday.
The campaign allows players to showcase important causes on their cleats during a game. This Sunday, against the Baltimore Ravens, there will be several Detroit players showing off a bit of their unique style while showcasing something near and dear to their heart.
"This whole month is special. You see a lot of guys on the team highlighting so many different charities, so many different organization, so many different things going on in society and it really sheds light on us as players," said running back Ameer Abdullah. "It definitely humanizes us. You know, sometimes people see us and they just see product, they see entertainers, they see guys who just score touchdowns or make a bunch of tackles. They don't understand that underneath the helmet we have a heartbeat just like anyone else."
Abdullah is supporting 'Team Jack': a Nebraska based organization that helps fund pediatric cancer research. Tight end Darren Fells will showcase 'No Kid Hungry' on his cleats.
"I've always been into especially anything involving kids. I try to do stuff with hospitals and foster homes and stuff like that," explained Fells.
Tight end Michael Roberts is showcasing Detroit Boxing Gym: a downtown gym that encourages skill in the ring, and community citizenship and academic outside it.
Roberts said he believes this whole campaign is special. "Letting a player give his own flavor to the game, expressing his cause by shoes. It's a great thing I think," he said.
Even head coach Jim Caldwell is getting involved.
"My cleats are for 'Midnight Golf Program' which is one that's been here in the Detroit area for quite some time. They use golf to attract young people and kind of teach them how to live their life around the game of golf," explained Caldwell.
Punter Sam Martin's shoes are tied to the Sam Martin Foundation.
Martin said "I think it's awesome. I think it's a great idea, and it allows the guys to get fun with their cleats while also raising awareness for causes and benefits, so it's a great thing to do and I think you're going to see a lot of cool shoes out there."
