My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts

The NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats initiative—where players design custom cleats to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes close to their hearts—has been brought to life in vivid, impactful ways by the Indianapolis Colts this season. From veteran stars to rookie contributors, Colts players have embraced the initiative, using their cleats as canvases to highlight issues ranging from children’s health care and youth mentorship to military veteran support and mental health advocacy. Each pair of cleats tells a personal story, linking players’ off-field passions to tangible change in the Indianapolis community and beyond. What sets the Colts’ participation apart is their collective commitment: over 30 players joined the initiative, and the team organized events to amplify the cause, including a cleat showcase at Lucas Oil Stadium and a silent auction to raise money for partner charities. My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts explores how the team turned this league-wide program into a community-focused movement, the stories behind standout cleat designs, and the real-world impact of their efforts.

One of the most powerful examples of the Colts’ participation comes from DeForest Buckner, whose custom cleats shine a light on pediatric cancer research— a cause personal to him after his cousin was diagnosed with leukemia last year. Buckner’s cleats feature a vibrant design: the left shoe is covered in hand-drawn stars (each representing a child currently in treatment at Riley Children’s Health), while the right shoe displays the phrase “Fight Like a Kid” in bold, rainbow letters. The cleats also include a small pocket holding a locket with a photo of his cousin, who is now in remission. “This initiative isn’t just about wearing cool cleats—it’s about giving a voice to kids who are fighting the hardest battles,” Buckner said. He partnered with Riley Children’s Health to donate all proceeds from his cleat auction to their pediatric oncology unit, and he invited his cousin to attend the Colts’ Week 14 game, where the pair walked onto the field together during pregame warmups to show off the cleats. The moment quickly gained attention on social media, with fans praising Buckner for turning his personal connection to the cause into a way to support others. My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts frames Buckner’s cleats as a prime example of how the initiative bridges personal stories with community impact.

Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson took a different approach with his My Cause My Cleats design, focusing on youth mentorship programs— an issue he’s passionate about after being mentored by a high school football coach who helped him navigate the challenges of pursuing a career in the NFL. Richardson’s cleats are a tribute to that mentor: the left shoe features a drawing of a football field with two silhouettes (one of a coach, one of a teen) and the words “Mentorship Matters,” while the right shoe lists the names of 10 local Indianapolis mentorship organizations he supports. Richardson also hosted a “Mentor & Play” event at the Colts’ training facility, where 50 local kids paired with mentors for a day of football drills and conversations about goal-setting—all while getting a close-up look at his custom cleats. “My mentor changed my life, and I want to make sure other kids have that same support,” Richardson said. The event was covered by local news outlets, and Richardson’s cleats were later auctioned off, with 100% of the proceeds going to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. His participation resonated with young fans, many of whom shared photos with Richardson and talked about their own mentors on social media. My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts explores how Richardson’s focus on mentorship turned the initiative into an interactive experience that inspired both kids and adults.

For the Indianapolis Colts, the My Cause My Cleats initiative wasn’t just a player-led effort—it was a team-wide commitment that included coaches, staff, and even the team’s mascot, Blue. Head coach Shane Steichen designed a pair of cleats supporting military veterans, featuring the U.S. flag and the logo of the Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Steichen, whose father served in the Army, joined forces with the VA to host a “Veterans Day Luncheon” at Lucas Oil Stadium, where he presented veterans with replicas of his cleats and listened to their stories. The Colts’ front office staff also got involved: they organized a “Cleat Decorating Party” where employees painted small, wearable cleat replicas to sell at team stores, with proceeds going to the Colts Foundation. Even Blue the Mascot sported a mini pair of custom cleats during games, emblazoned with the phrase “Community Strong.” For the Indianapolis Colts, this collective participation turned the initiative from a series of individual player stories into a unified statement about the team’s values. “We wanted to show that giving back is part of who we are as a franchise—not just something our players do,” said Colts community relations director Allison Melangton. My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts emphasizes how the team’s all-hands-on-deck approach amplified the initiative’s reach and made it a true reflection of the Colts’ identity.

The Indianapolis Colts also leveraged social media and local partnerships to ensure the My Cause My Cleats initiative reached as many people as possible. The team’s official social media accounts shared “Behind the Design” videos with each participating player, where they talked about their cause and the inspiration behind their cleats. These videos averaged over 200,000 views each, with fans leaving comments like “Proud to be a Colts fan—you guys do more than play football!” The Colts also partnered with local television station WISH-TV to air a 30-minute special highlighting the initiative, featuring interviews with Buckner, Richardson, and the leaders of the charities they support. Additionally, local businesses got involved: downtown Indianapolis restaurant St. Elmo’s Steak House offered a “My Cause My Cleats Special,” donating $5 from each meal sold to the Colts Foundation’s initiative-related grants. For the Indianapolis Colts, these partnerships turned the initiative into a community event, not just a football-related program. “We couldn’t have had the same impact without our local partners,” Melangton said. “They helped us reach people who might not be football fans but care deeply about these causes.” My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts examines how these collaborations expanded the initiative’s influence beyond the football field and into the heart of the Indianapolis community.

Finally, the My Cause My Cleats initiative showcased by the Indianapolis Colts has had a lasting impact that extends far beyond the end of the football season. In total, the team raised over $120,000 through cleat auctions, employee fundraisers, and partner events—funds that will support 15 local and national charities. Many of the players have continued their involvement with their chosen causes: Buckner has committed to visiting Riley Children’s Health once a month, and Richardson has started a “Mentor of the Month” program where he highlights outstanding local mentors on social media. The initiative also inspired fan involvement: the Colts received over 500 messages from fans who said they’d donated to the featured charities or volunteered their time after seeing the players’ cleats. For the Indianapolis Colts, the My Cause My Cleats initiative wasn’t just a one-time event—it was a way to deepen their connection to the community and show that football can be a force for good. “This initiative reminds us that we have a platform to make a difference, and we take that responsibility seriously,” Steichen said. My Cause My Cleats Initiative Showcased by the Indianapolis Colts concludes that the team’s participation in the program is a testament to their commitment to more than just winning games—they’re dedicated to winning in the community, too, and the My Cause My Cleats initiative has been a powerful way to showcase that mission.