Putting their best foot forward
Assistant Editor
When the Steelers took the field against the Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills, there was a lot of passion on display.
But the passion wasn’t just be about the game.
For the fourth year the NFL allowed players to represent a charity that they are passionate about in a unique manner with the league’s player cause initiative, My Cause, My Cleats.
The initiative was created for NFL players to showcase a charitable cause that is meaningful to them and players took part in helping with the design of their cleats.
Below is a breakdown of the players’ causes and why they choose what they did.
OLA ADENIYI
Cause: Sickle Cell
When he heard the news in college, Ola Adeniyi was surprised. It certainly wasn’t what he expected. That he had the sickle cell trait.
“I never knew about it,” said Adeniyi. “I am the first in my family to play football and that is how I found out. When I first found out I was like, ‘Whoa.’ When they first told me, I thought I had the whole thing, the whole disease. I just have the trait. I am a carrier. You have to make sure you are safe because you don’t want your child to get it.”
Adeniyi wore his cleats to support sickle cell, something that means a lot to him because he wants to bring awareness to others who might be in the dark about it like he once was.
“I had friends who lost family members to it,” said Adeniyi. “I didn’t know the importance of it until I got to college and found out I had it. That is why I am supporting it.
“I have the trait. Everybody has different levels of it. If you take care of your body, that is one of the keys, especially playing football.
“You have to be aware. It’s something you should know. You have to be cautious choosing your partner. You don’t want your children to have it. The chance of living past a certain age is hard. When I realized I had it, it made me more aware. You just have to pay attention and be aware of it.”
TYSON ALUALU
Cause: Colon Cancer
When something hits close to home, you want to do something about it.
That is exactly why Tyson Alualu wore his cleats to support his family and bring awareness to colon cancer.
“I lost my grandfather to it, and very recently my little sister was diagnosed,” said Alualu. “She has more tests to do, but she is going through it. That is why I chose it, to represent them.
“After you pass the whole emotional stage you find strength through it all. It’s a daily reminder for me to be thankful for health and reminds me to continue to prepare for strength for them and for me, specifically my sister.”
Alualu was happy to wear them and doesn’t take for granted the NFL allowing it.
“I think the NFL does a good job using the platform to bring a lot of awareness to those things,” said Alualu. “I like the direction they are taking it.”
MARK BARRON
Cause: Together Assisting People (TAP) and My Brother’s Keeper
Mark Barron shared the love when it comes to his cleats, supporting two different
