EAGAN, Minn. — Just below a gold-painted Nike Swoosh, a pink ring rests on a gray heart and encircles a white ring filled with hope.

A rainbow bridges clouds to go along with the words "Ciara's Circle of Hope Foundation."

Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt selected this organization this year for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative.

He knows what Ciara Chiesa faced while battling when they were teenagers in Hughson, California, an agrarian community of about 7,500 people.

"We've got one stoplight, don't have a grocery store, so everyone seems to know everybody around there," Mundt said.

Mundt and Ciara were family friends, with multiple generations overlapping in walnut and almond farming businesses. They also attended the same church.

Ciara showed strength, perseverance, faith and love in her battle with medulloblastoma, a malignant and fast-growing brain tumor.

"I grew up going to family functions with her and her family, so to see her go through that and no longer see her at school was tough," Mundt said. "We'd get updates, pictures. We went to the same church growing up. It was really tough to see her go through that, and then as the years go by, to bring attention to her name and cause and not let her be forgotten was cool."

Ciara passed away Dec. 7, 2010, at age 14, and Ciara’s Circle of Hope was created to help young people and families in need through support efforts and by funding research in conjugation with the American Institute of Cancer Research. Part of the effort is supported through the sale of an organic, raw walnut butter produced by Nutty Gourmet. The packaging is branded with pink accents in honor of Ciara.

Now 30 and a parent, Mundt fondly remembers his friend and wants to help reduce tragedies for families.

"Having a family and to imagine my child going through something as drastic as that is heartbreaking, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to shed some light on her name and her foundation, as well as my community," Mundt said.

Jay Ward Supports Former LSU Teammate

Jay Ward's cleats are red, white and blue. They feature ribbons and the American Cancer Society's logo, but the "G3" painted on the Swoosh means the most to Ward.

It represents his friend Greg Brooks, Jr., who was once a rival when Brooks played for Arkansas before becoming Ward's teammate at LSU in 2022.

"Greg transferred in from Arkansas, so getting to know him and welcome him was great," Ward said. "He's a Louisiana native, so he already knew everything about Louisiana.

"I was playing nickel, and he was playing safety, and we just worked so good together," Ward said. "We were both flying across the field together just making plays."

Ward was selected by Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That fall, Brooks returned to LSU to finish his college career, but those plans were derailed after two games.

Brooks has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, which can happen at any age but is more common in children. He is currently undergoing treatment.

Ward sends Brooks photos from their time on the field together and hits him up "on the regular" to continue showing support.

"I know he would have heard his name called [in the 2024 draft] if he would have finished the season and been healthy," Ward said. "Having him on my cleats means a lot, because he might not be able to physically play, but he's around the league."