The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 14 matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday will be the team’s annual My Cause, My Cleats game, a game each NFL team has that allows players to honor causes near to their heart by representing them on their cleats. It’s a rare moment of creativity for players amidst the NFL’s strict uniform policy, and it’s one week where players can have a little fun with their cleats while representing a good cause.
Teresa Varley of Steelers.com comprised a list of causes Steelers players are representing and why they chose their cause.
For the Steelers this season, a number of players are representing military charities or causes, including Ryan McCollum, Patrick Queen and Darnell Washington. For Washington, it’s something close to his heart, as his older brother Ezekiel is a Marine.
“He’s the one who showed me the ropes and helped me be on the path I have today,” Washington said via Varley. “He showed me a lot. I learned a lot from him. He was always the big brother who kept me on track, told me don’t hang out with that crowd or make sure to lock in on things. He always kept me on the right path. I’m thankful for that.
Calvin Anderson, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Christian Kuntz and Nick Herbig will all be representing their own charitable foundations while TE Pat Freiermuth is once again supporting Reid’s Rebels, the organization he supported last year. It is in honor of Reid Garrant, a former teammate of Freiermuth who passed away of leukemia at just 22 years old.
Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick and T.J. Watt will be representing the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“Going to see those kids really had an impact on me,” McCormick told Varley. “We like to think that we go there and have an impact on them. But it definitely impacted me. It was a super cool experience. And I look forward to going back there when I can.”
It’s nice to see so many Steelers representing various causes, spreading charity in the community, and spreading awareness for causes that are important to them. The Steelers will also be representing their 2024 Hall of Honor class on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, so it’s going to be a really lively atmosphere and a good opportunity for the Steelers to get some revenge on the Browns.
Below is a list of the causes each player is representing.
Calvin Anderson – Lanihun-Anderson Foundation
Spencer Anderson – Autism Speaks
Keeanu Benton –United Cerebral Palsy
Beanie Bishop Jr.-WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital
Dylan Cook-Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project
Zach Frazier-UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pat Freiermuth-Reid’s Rebels
Nick Herbig-HerbieGives
Cameron Heyward-The Heyward House
Alex Highsmith-Highsmith Family Foundation and International Justice Mission
Miles Killebrew-Café Momentum
Christian Kuntz-Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation
Logan Lee-Athletes in Action
Isaiahh Loudermilk-Cancer Bridges
Tyler Matakevich-Show Your Soft Side
Ryan McCollum-Wounded Warriors Project
Mason McCormick-UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Larry Ogunjobi-American Heart Association/Childhood Obesity
Ayo Oyelola-Lives Not Knives
James Pierre-Glimmer of Hope Foundation
Joey Porter Jr.-Jasmine Nyree Day Center/Campus
Patrick Queen-TAPS and Military Appreciation
Elandon Roberts-Healthy Start
Darnell Washington-Military Appreciation
T.J. Watt-UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Payton Wilson-Convoy of Hope
