Jaguars highlight charitable causes through "My Cause, My Cleats"

As the Jacksonville Jaguars aim for their first win at EverBank Field this season this weekend, seven players will stand out among the others not because of play, but because of what they’re wearing.

More than 500 players across the NFL are participating in the "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign, showcasing a cause important to them through special custom designed cleats. Players worked directly with Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas to design the cleats.

Seven Jaguars are taking part in this campaign while the team squares off against the Denver Broncos.

Below are the players involved in this campaign, as well as statements they provided about their causes.

-Left Tackle Kelvin Beachum- Feeding America, supporting efforts to end hunger through a nationwide network of member food banks

“Since joining the Jaguars, I knew I wanted to continue raising awareness for hunger-related causes in my new community. Designing my cleats is a perfect way for all of our fans to see the need to end hunger, not just in our community, but also around the world.”

-Quarterback Blake Bortles- The Blake Bortles Foundation, supporting children with intellectual and developmental challenges in their pursuit of full, independent lives, as well as local first responders.

“Designing our own cleats is a great opportunity to show some of the things that we’re involved in off of the field. It’s an honor to support children with developmental challenges pursuing their full and independent lives, and a privilege to recognize local first responders who consistently put their lives on the line for our safety.”

-Strong Safety Jonathan Cyprien- At-Risk Youth Foundation, supporting at-risk youth.

“I’m blessed to be able to show the world some of the things that I am passionate about through my foundation. I hope that my cleat design reinforces the importance of supporting at-risk youth in the community and I am proud to represent the kids that we’re working with on a daily basis.”

-Defensive Tackle Malik Jackson- Malik’s Gifts, supporting and building programs that serve at-risk children, military children and families, animal rescue missions and family emergency assistance

“I’m excited to represent all of the great people and causes that I’ve been blessed to interact with through Malik’s Gifts. It’s important to me to support at-risk children, military children and families and animal rescue missions, and I’m excited to represent each cause in an impactful way on Sunday.”

-Kicker Jason Myers- Colleen’s Dream Foundation and the Kicking for the Dream initiative. Colleen’s Dream Foundation supports ovarian cancer research and the Kicking for a Dream initiative was founded by NFL kicker Billy Cundiff as a signature fall fundraiser for the Foundation.

-Wide Receiver Allen Robinson- Allen Robinson’s Within Reach Foundation, supporting educational opportunities and resources to low-income and inner-city Jacksonville-area students

“The goal of my cleat design is to emphasize the need for increased resources for at-risk and low-income students in the Jacksonville community. My Within Reach Foundation strives to give educational opportunities for these kids and I hope that by wearing these on game day, awareness for this critical issue grows.”

-Tight End Julius Thomas- Episcopal Children’s Services, supporting at-risk youth and education

“Being active in the community is so important to me considering our ability to affect change and inspire people. To take it to another level and design cleats that we wear on game day is a great opportunity to emphasize the benefit of reading and education locally and around the country.”