Week 13 in the NFL saw a change in the NFL rules to allow players to wear cleats that showed a bit more personality than they usually can show. NFL players across the league were allowed to wear cleats that represent a cause that means something to them in their Week 13 matchups.
Many players shared with The Players’ Tribune the stories behind their cleats.
Tyler Eifert, Andy Dalton, Dre Kirkpatrick, Domata Peko and Rex Burkhead were just a few of the Bengals to take part in the effort. Here’s a look at their decked out cleats for a cause.
Carlos Dunlap’s cleats called out his foundation, the Carlos Dunlap Foundation.
Peko’s cleats were representing the Save the Children movement in Syria, where his wife is from.
Eifert’s cleats were for Warrior Wishes, a charity of importance to him.
LaFell’s cleats called out the LaFell Group. The organization creates unique educational and enrichment opportunities to improve the quality of life in the community through education, fitness, and mentoring for at risk children and their families.
Adam Jones wore cleats that represented the Special Olympics. An organization he’s passionate about.
Im playing for every person with Special Needs and every parents that is raising or have raised a person with Special Need !!! God Bless pic.twitter.com/KOQabQmCZW
— ADAm Pacman Jones (@REALPACMAN24) December 3, 2016
Rex Burkhead’s decked out cleats honored the Team Jack Foundation. Read more about Burkhead’s cleats and the story behind the Team Jack Foundation here.
Andy Dalton’s cleats called out to the organization he and his wife run, the Andy & Jordan Dalton foundation.
Dre Kirkpatrick’s cleats were honoring the 21 Kids foundation. You can read more about his efforts with the charity here.
Dre Kirkpatrick's kicks for the NFL's #mycausemycleats program pic.twitter.com/j7P4hdGiB5
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) December 4, 2016
It’s nice to see the NFL allowing their players to break the rules for a good cause.