Multiple Ravens using “My Cause, My Cleats” platform this Sunday

Week 13 of the NFL season, multiple Ravens are participating in the “My Cause, My Cleats” NFL campaign. The campaign will allow players to wear personalized cleats about charities or speak out about personal afflictions without a Roger Goodell stamp of disapproval. No fines for these players, instead, a single game to not battle over the legalities of NFL fashion. A chance to give these men on the field a display for their efforts outside of football.

Steve Smith Sr. will be wearing cleats with a message of stopping domestic violence, something Steve has personally experienced.

“My mom is a survivor of domestic violence and it’s something that has impacted me,” Smith Sr. said. “Because its impacted me, it’s more special, it’s more important. It’s not something I think is cool or tugging on my heart because of someone’s story. Unfortunately, me and my mom have our own story.”

Jimmy Smith is another player wearing cleats for a cause. His cleats were in fact designed by the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). On the cleats, the message of “Sideline Racism” will be embolded by the otherwise golden footwear.

Photo Credit: baltimoreravens.com

These men won’t be the only players donning such attire, in fact over 500 players are expected to use this week as their platform, according to the NFL.

This campaign is something surprising to see from the NFL, as lately the rules have become quite strict. The No Fun League bending the rules to give their players a voice is a great start.