Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks has teamed up with local artists to design his My Cause My Cleats. The cleats feature True Strength Ability Awareness, which is a nonprofit Hicks started earlier this year to support young people with disabilities.
The eye-catching blue design incorporates the foundation’s logo and tagline, ‘When many see disability, we see opportunity.’ Hicks also made sure an outline of the state of Ohio was featured on the cleat.
Hicks won’t be the only one wearing this design on game day. Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly heard about the cause and will be wearing the cleats as well. Hicks and Kelly attended the same high school—Lakota West in West Chester, OH. Kelly’s cleats were customized to include the state of Indiana.
Kelly also will be matching all donations to True Strength Ability Awareness up to $5,000 on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. Giving Tuesday is always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and gives nonprofits the opportunity to raise more money than they would on an average day to make a greater impact.
“I am really passionate about empowering young people with disabilities,” said Hicks. “Getting the opportunity to represent people with disabilities for My Cause My Cleats and Ryan [Kelly] jumping in to support the cause is really exciting.”
The artwork on Hicks and Kelly’s cleats was created by Evelyn Larkins, and the cleats were painted by Kevin Burger. Larkins is a graphic designer at sports and streetwear apparel company Headlines Sports in Hamilton, OH. Burger is a police detective in West Chester, OH. Painting is his hobby. He painted Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill’s My Cause My Cleats in the past and was excited to paint Hicks’ and Kelly’s My Cause My Cleats this season.
“I really appreciate that Jordan [Hicks] chose me as a local artist to design his cleats,” said Larkins. “True Strength Ability Awareness is a great cause, and I am proud to be a part of raising awareness.”
Hicks launched True Strength Ability Awareness in February 2024 with the vision to unite students and communities in ability awareness. The foundation hosts True Strength Nights at high schools’ sporting events to empower and support students with special needs through inclusion at school events. Funds raised from True Strength Nights go back to schools’ special education departments and provide much-needed resources for facility upgrades, life skill programs, and initiatives that promote inclusion and engagement.
Fans can watch Hicks and Kelly play in their True Strength Ability Awareness cleats in Week 13 of the NFL season. Hicks and the Cleveland Browns play the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2 with a 7:15pm CST start. Kelly and the Indianapolis Colts play the Patriots on Dec. 1 with a 12:00 CST start.