In conjunction with the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative, the Las Vegas Raiders partnered with Shoe Palace to provide a custom cleat designing experience for eight current players and their respective nonprofit organizations.
In October, Thayer Munford Jr., John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Amari Gainer, DJ Turner, DJ Glaze, Tre Tucker and Charles Snowden all met with representatives from their chosen organization at the Shoe Palace corporate offices in Las Vegas.
Through conversation and collaboration with each pairing, Shoe Palace corporate designer Jo DeGuzman created a digital design that was then sent to Marvin Baroota of SoLegit Customs to paint onto the cleats.
"It's 10 percent me, 90 percent them," DeGuzman said. "It's not about me, it's about me just bringing their ideas to life and it helps me with my creative juices when I hear their stories and the experiences that they go through."
The shoes were then revealed to the players at Raiders Headquarters on November 25 inside customized boxes created by the Raiders' creative team. The inside lid of the boxes featured photos of the player with their organization at their design meetings.
"This is dope," Jenkins said after opening his box and seeing his cleats honoring the Avery Burton Foundation, which brings awareness to mental health. "This is awesome. … My heart goes out to him and his foundation and his loss. It's tough. … Life is life, and things happen, and we've just got to be stronger for it."
Glaze had a similar reaction when he saw the finalized design brought to life on his cleats for the first time. "That's nice," he said. "That's cool that they can do that to a cleat. That's crazy."
The customized cleats will be worn in the Raiders' December 16th game against the Atlanta Falcons.
For DeGuzman and Shoe Palace, the creative process started with understanding the organization. It then evolved into understanding what drives the person.
"It was cool," Turner, who is representing the Raiders Silver and Black League, said of his experience working with a member of the Northwest Vegas Flag team, Nye'Joel. "The designer actually brought up the idea of [the kid's] favorite superhero, which is Flash. That's where we got the lightning bolt inspiration from and then he just ran away with it. I know it was probably a lot of fun for him, and it was fun for me to see him enjoy that moment too."
Though Turner was recently placed on injured reserve and won't get to wear the cleats during the Raiders' Week 15 game against the Falcons, the design process and interaction with the local youth football player meant more than anything else.
"I feel like giving back to the youth is probably the biggest thing for me," he said. "When I was growing up, I always knew I wanted to play football and make it to the NFL, but I never had any NFL players actually come back and tell me the right way to do it. It's big for me to try to guide young players and kids in the right direction to fulfill their dreams."
For Snowden, the design process started with a discussion about initiatives important to him and to members of the NAACP. One of those topics near and dear to both parties was local access to housing, thus the illustration of a neighborhood on his cleats.
With Munford, there is a deeply personal connection to his cause, the Nevada Youth Network. Entering his senior year of high school, Munford's academic scores were falling short of the levels required to play high-level college football. Leaning heavily on his high school football coach, Munford's grades improved, and he went on to play five years at Ohio State University.
A meaningful support system is something Munford wants youth in the Las Vegas area, like Darrell who helped design his cleats, to have access to as well.
"It's almost like I'm talking to myself," he said while sitting across from the young member from the organization.
In addition to designing the cleats together, Munford pledged to stay connected Darrell's family.
"I think this is something that's going to change his life," said Michael Flores, founder of the Nevada Youth Network. "We try to show young people what their world can be. Actually showing them is hard sometimes. He wants to be a football player and to meet a football player that has a similar path in what they've been through, it demonstrates to him that, one he can do it, and what he needs to do to stay on the straight and narrow to get there."
Whether it's Gainer and the American Cancer Society or Tucker and the Tyler Robinson Foundation, the hope is that the process of designing these cleats will not only spread awareness on a national stage for the organizations but connect each player in a deeper way to these causes they passionately support.
"They chose a foundation for a reason," DeGuzman said. "It hits a certain part of their life or a milestone in their life that really touched them and that's why they chose it. But to get that story out of them and to hear that reason why, and to watch the face of the foundation and them say what they need to say. … That's priceless.
"Then to be able to take that story and put it on a shoe and they look at the shoe and they're satisfied with it, what more can you ask for?"
For more information on each cause, visit raiders.com/cleats.
Take a look at behind the scenes photos from the Raiders' design process and reveal of custom cleats for the NFL's 2024 My Cause My Cleats initiative.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs tackle Thayer Munford Jr.'s (77) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs tackle Thayer Munford Jr.'s (77) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs defensive end Charles Snowden's (49) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs linebacker Amari Gainer's (53) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) meets with representatives from U.S. VETS to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Shoe Palace designer designs defensive lineman Adam Butler's (69) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) meets with representatives from U.S. VETS to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan unboxes her custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan unboxes her custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
