A record number of NFL players sported custom cleats to support Team IMPACT for the My Cause My Cleats campaign during week 13 of this year’s NFL season. Since 2016, hundreds of athletes have taken the field in custom cleats to support the charity of their choice. Each year, players have the option to donate their cleats to NFL Auction where all proceeds of each sale benefit their chosen charity.
This season, four NFL players—Zach Allen, Zion Johnson, Michael Onwenu, and Dominique Robinson—chose to support Team IMPACT for My Cause My Cleats. All four athletes participated in our program when they were in college, and their support of Team IMPACT and their Team IMPACT teammates extends far beyond.
Boston College alum Zach Allen represented Team IMPACT for the second consecutive year. When he was a student-athlete at BC, his team was matched with then-ten-year-old JB Harvey. A few years later, the Eagles welcomed 13-year-old Jack Giorgio to their roster, and guard Zion Johnson quickly bonded with the teen. In the years since, both Allen and Johnson have remained a steadfast ambassador for Team IMPACT. Even after being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Zion and Jack’s friendship forges on from coast to coast.
New England Patriots’ offensive lineman Michael Onwenu credits Team IMPACT with providing him a new perspective as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. “I decided to represent Team IMPACT because I was really familiar with it,” Onwenu said to Patriots’ writer Alexandra Francisco. “Our team was matched with Larry Prout, and I think they’ve had other kids there since I graduated, but I did one of the summer camps during my years there and [Team IMPACT] was just a good cause. This year I wanted to support them.” Onwenu joins a growing list of Patriots who have represented Team IMPACT for My Cause My Cleats—a list that includes current players Josh Uche and Kendrick Bourne and former Patriot Chase Winovich.
Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson’s cleats were inspired by his time at Miami (OH) with his Team IMPACT teammate Liam, and he was excited for the opportunity to continue supporting Team IMPACT. “I remember hanging out with Liam and loved having him on our team!” Dominique said.
Thank you to Zach, Zion, Michael, and Dominique for being the impact, on and off the field. To see all players’ designs and bid on custom cleats that support a great cause, visit the NFL Auction website.