New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has chosen his cleats for the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” weekend.
It’s not just Week 13 in the NFL; this week is also the league’s annual “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative, which means plenty of the New York Jets players are ready to show off those kicks against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is no exception, as he took to Twitter to showcase his special kicks and what they represent.
The kids that I’ve met are going through such intense battles that it can make football seem inconsequential sometimes. But knowing I’m capable of putting a smile on someone’s face and lightening their load even temporarily is something I’m immensely proud of.
— Zachary Wilson (@ZachWilson) December 2, 2021
Wilson will suit up to support the local Atlantic Health System, specifically the Goryeb Children’s Hospital. While the cleats themselves are certainly eye-catching, Wilson’s message behind the laces is profound.
“The kids that I’ve met are going through such intense battles that it can make football seem inconsequential sometimes,” Wilson wrote, “Knowing I’m capable of putting a smile on someone’s face and lightening their load even temporarily is something I’m immensely proud of.”
The Goryeb Children’s Hospital has been a popular choice among recent Jets quarterbacks. Most recently, former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold featured the hospital for his special-edition cleats and spent considerable time visiting the kids first-hand.
As someone who was ridiculed for his leadership abilities coming out of BYU, Wilson has made his presence known in the locker room and is well-respected among his teammates. While COVID-19 lingers in the way of in-person interactions, Wilson is showing his leadership and genuineness go beyond the lines at 1 Jets Drive.
Professional athletes assume a national platform, and the “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative is a great opportunity for the NFL and charities alike. Players are granted the opportunity to bring meaningful causes to them onto national television and use their image to promote change.
Kicks for a cause 💚#MyCauseMyCleats
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 1, 2021
Of course, Wilson is not the only Jet putting on a meaningful cause.
Newly-acquired guard and applauded “Master of Surgery,” Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, will also represent Atlantic Health with a salute to the frontline workers of the pandemic. Duvernay-Tardif spent the 2020 season fighting alongside doctors and nurses after he opted out.
Wilson will look to kick things up a notch when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town this Sunday at 1:00 pm ET. Whether it’s fighting for charity, fighting for your teammates, or fighting for a win, all three will be on display come Sunday with Wilson at the helm.
