Falcons to showcase charities with ‘My Cause My Cleats’

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Marcus Mariota is an admitted sneaker-head.

He estimates he has more than 200 pairs.

So when he had a chance to design a pair of cleats that he will wear in the Falcons’ game against the Steelers on Sunday, he was excited to participate in the NFL program, “My Cause My Cleats.” Mariota will highlight a charity, Shoes that Fit. He is one of 31 people with the Falcons who will wear special cleats or sneakers. It is the seventh season the league has participated in the campaign.

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“Having a brand new pair of sneakers, whether it’s going out to play, whether it’s going to school, doesn’t it make you feel good,” Mariota said. “So I’m glad that my foundation, Motiv8, and I chose Fit. We’re able to collab and do something, and I’m excited to be able to be a part of that on Sunday.”

The charities selected range from the well-known, such as the Boys and Girls Club or March of Dimes or Humane Society, to the more specific, National Blood Clot Alliance and Pebble Tossers.

Mariota’s designated charity, Shoes that Fit, works to provide kids in need new athletic shoes. Mariota’s cleats are yellow, blue and white, and a feature a black tree. On the right shoe a girl is swinging on a tire swing hanging from a branch. On the left, two people are holding hands while standing on a branch, one is holding a balloon.

The players don’t typically design the cleats. They provide ideas to an artist or designer. The production process varies according to the player, depending upon the design. It can range from 2-10 days. In the past, players could have the cleats designed by local high school students or hospital patients. Others provide the organization or cause to which they want to bring awareness to an artist and the design is built from that organization’s logo or branding.

After the shoes are worn, some players have donated them to their cause’s organization for auction, while others auction the cleats off from their own foundation events to raise money.

Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, who was born in Cameroon, selected Project YES - Africa, which “provides direct support and partnerships with existing resources in South Africa to ensure that every child - regardless of circumstances, gender, or ethnicity - has access to a quality education.”

His cleats are yellow and feature a lion on the heel, with the phrase “We all deserve an opportunity” across the toes.

“Understanding how blessed I am to be in position where I’m at,” he said. “So that’s why I went with it.”