This Sunday, more than 25 Chargers players will participate in the NFL's 'My Cause, My Cleats' initiative by wearing customized cleats to showcase important causes close to their hearts, as well as their personalities.
"I think it's great," Chargers linebacker Kyzir White said. "Bringing awareness to certain types of diseases is a great cause."
From raising awareness to cancer, the cause represented on White's cleats, to ocean conservancy or autism awareness, there are a multitude of initiatives represented throughout the Chargers locker room.
For instance, tight end Hunter Henry will be taking the field with custom light blue and white cleats to represent the International Justice Mission, an organization committed to ending all forms of slavery worldwide.
"I'm just trying to bring awareness to it, and I'm excited to wear the cleats and get more people to learn about the cause," Henry said.
When asked what drew him to his chosen cause, Henry referenced that he was first introduced to the cause as a student in high school, and it's resonated with him ever since.
"Even guys come up to me today and are like, 'slavery was done hundreds of years ago,'" Henry said. "And I'm like, 'that's what I thought, too,' until I heard about all of the women that are trafficked and there's kids who grow up slaves overseas."
Meanwhile, center Scott Quessenberry is representing the Marine Raider Foundation, an organization committed to the support of active duty Marine Raiders and provides assistance with reintegration when Marines return home.
"I know a couple of Marine Raiders that my brother played football with at the (Naval) Academy, so I wanted to honor those guys for what they do," Quessenberry said. "The cleats turned out pretty sweet too, so I was fired up about them."
Since Quessenberry's brother Paul is also in the Marine Corps, the offensive lineman is excited to represent his brother and others by placing their respective jersey numbers on the front strap of his cleats.
"Just knowing that he's out there making sacrifices for our country means a lot to me and my family," he said.
'My Cause, My Cleats' also presents opportunities for young players to start thinking about using their platform as professional football players to bring exposure to meaningful causes.
For rookie guard Trey Pipkins, drawing attention to the Confetti Foundation, an organization which throws birthday parties for kids in hospitals, offers the opportunity to start giving back.
"It's really cool to have a platform like this where you can help people and (give) people information about these kinds of foundations," Pipkins said.
Be sure to stay on the lookout for each players' custom cleats this Sunday when the Chargers take on the Minnesota Vikings from ROKiT Field at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. PT.
Kicks for a cause, Chargers players, in collaboration with the NFL, will dawn their custom-made cleats as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative during Week 14's matchup against the Jaguars and at home versus the Vikings in Week 15.
Mike Williams - Cancer Awareness (in partnership with TikTok)
Hunter Henry – Human Trafficking (International Justice Mission)
Mike Pouncey – Team Pouncey
Joey Bosa – Pediatric Cancer Awareness ("More Than 4")
Isaac Rochell – Social Media Health/Awareness (#SeeYouOnSunday)
Brandon Facyson – Uterine Cancer Awareness
Dan Feeney – Multiple Sclerosis (National MS Society)
Russell Okung - BTC Pay Foundation
Scott Quessenberry – Marine Raider Foundation
Michael Schofield – Schofield Family Foundation
Uchenna Nwosu – Diabetes Awareness (Children's Diabetes Foundation)
Kyzir White – Cancer Awareness (American Cancer Society)
Jaylen Watkins – Ovarian Cancer Awareness (American Cancer Society)
Jerry Tillery – Weish4Ever (The Andrew Weishar Foundation)
Desmond King – Autism Awareness (Autism Speaks)
Tyrod Taylor – Tyrod Taylor Foundation
Trent Scott – Lupus Awareness (Lupus Foundation of America)
Justin Jones - Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation
Michael Badgley - Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (Brooke Healey Foundation)
Geremy Davis – Ocean Conservancy
Emeke Egbule – Nigerian Medical Crisis (Project Hope)
Drue Tranquill - Weish4Ever (The Andrew Weishar Foundation)
Nick Dzubnar – NFL Player Care Foundation
Trey Pipkins – The Confetti Foundation
