View photos of Vikings players' custom cleats in honor of the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative that allows players to express their commitment to causes that are important to them.
EAGAN, Minn. – When Minnesota hosts Pittsburgh at U.S. Bank Stadium for Thursday Night Football, the Vikings will be using their feet to promote causes close to their hearts.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic once again influenced the community events players have been able to participate in this year, nearly the entire team is making an impact through the NFL's annual My Cause My Cleats campaign.
Players will don custom-designed cleats that recently were unveiled to the athletes. The footwear is painted to represent respective causes players selected to raise awareness and support for.
Among the organizations represented this season are some of the players' personal foundations or charities, including Raise the Barr foundation and Thielen Foundation.
Other players are again shining light on organizations close to their heart: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (C.J. Ham), Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities (Harrison Smith), Boys & Girls Clubs (Kirk Cousins), the Minnesota Vikings Foundation (Dalvin Cook) and Golden Charter Academy (Eric Kendricks), among others.
Below is a full list of the Vikings participating in this year's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign through custom kicks. Also, keep an eye on Vikings.com all this week for several feature stories highlighting some players' passions.
NOTE: Players are listed in alphabetical order and include active roster, practice squad and Injured Reserve.
Mackensie Alexander
Organization: Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Cause: Housing support
View photos of Vikings CB Mackensie Alexander unboxing his custom cleats for the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative. He is representing the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
Jake Bargas
Organization: Best Foot Forward Foundation
Cause: Foster care
Anthony Barr
Organization: Raise the Barr Foundation
Cause: Education and single-parent support
View photos of Vikings LB Anthony Barr unboxing his custom cleats for the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative. He is representing the Raise the Barr Foundation.
Tuf Borland
Organization: Best Buddies
Cause: Disabled youth support
Garrett Bradbury
Organization: M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital
Cause: Youth health
Bashaud Breeland
Organization: People Serving People
Cause: Homelessness
Camryn Bynum
Organization: Save the Music Foundation
Cause: Arts and education
Ezra Cleveland
Organization: Pat Tillman Foundation
Cause: Military member and veteran support
Mason Cole
Organization: The Uniform Funding Foundation (TUFF)
Cause: Youth athletic support
Tyler Conklin
Organization: Dementia Society of America
Cause: Dementia awareness
Ryan Connelly
Organization: Breath of Hope Foundation
Cause: Cancer awareness
Dalvin Cook
Organization: Minnesota Vikings Foundation
Cause: Youth enrichment
Kirk Cousins
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs
Cause: Youth enrichment
View photos of Vikings QB Kirk Cousins unboxing his custom cleats for the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative. He is representing the Boys and Girls Club.
Cameron Dantzler
Organization: A Precious Child
Cause: Youth enrichment
Christian Darrisaw
Organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities
Cause: Youth health
Zach Davidson
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities
Cause: Youth mentorship
Andrew DePaola
Organization: Bo’s Effort
Cause: Mental health
Brandon Dillon
Organization: American Diabetes Association
Cause: Diabetes awareness
Dakota Dozier
Organization: March of Dimes
Cause: Infant health
Troy Dye
Organization: The Leela Project
Cause: Foster care
Ben Ellefson
Organization: Gigi’s Playhouse
Cause: Down syndrome awareness
Everson Griffen
Organization: American Heart Association
Cause: Heart health
Harrison Hand
Organization: Hands On Foundation
Cause: Youth enrichment/mental health
C.J. Ham
Organization: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Cause: Cancer awareness
Rashod Hill
Organization: The Codie Hill Foundation
Cause: Hearing loss
Kyle Hinton
Organization: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Cause: Mental health
Danielle Hunter
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs
Cause: Youth enrichment
Trishton Jackson
Organization: NAMI
Cause: Mental health
Justin Jefferson
Organization: Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
Cause: Youth education
View photos of Vikings WR Justin Jefferson unboxing his custom cleats for the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative. He is representing the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) organization.
Patrick Jones II
Organization: NAMI
Cause: Mental health
Eric Kendricks
Organization: Golden Charter Academy
Cause: Education
Blake Lynch
Organization: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Cause: Domestic violence awareness
James Lynch
Organization: Pat Tillman Foundation
Cause: Military member and veteran support
Sean Mannion
Organization: Team Gleason Foundation
Cause: ALS awareness
Alexander Mattison
Organization: I Am Gifted
Cause: Mental health awareness and suicide prevention
Josh Metellus
Organization: Postpartum Support International
Cause: Postpartum depression awareness
Myron Mitchell
Organization: Special Olympics
Cause: Empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities
Kellen Mond
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs
Cause: Youth enrichment
Parry Nickerson
Organization: NAMI
Cause: Mental health
Kene Nwangwu
Organization: Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Cause: Autism awareness
Brian O'Neill
Organization: Autism Speaks
Cause: Autism awareness
K.J. Osborn
Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs
Cause: Youth enrichment
Michael Pierce
Organization: Impact 22
Cause: Youth enrichment and education
Sheldon Richardson
Organization: Minnesota Vikings Foundation
Cause: Youth enrichment
A.J. Rose, Jr.
Organization: Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
Cause: Social justice
Harrison Smith
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities
Cause: Youth mentorship
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Organization: Coalition for the Homeless
Cause: Homelessness
Chazz Surrat
Organization: Avenues for Youth
Cause: Youth homelessness
Adam Thielen
Organization: Thielen Foundation
Cause: Youth enrichment and mental health
Dalvin Tomlinson
Organization: Kate’s Club; American Cancer Society
Cause: Youth enrichment; cancer awareness
Armon Watts
Organization: The Armon Watts Foundation
Cause: Youth enrichment
Dede Westbrook
Organization: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Cause: Domestic violence awareness
Kenny Willekes
Organization: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Cause: Mental health and suicide prevention
D.J. Wonnum
Organization: Secondhand Hounds
Cause: Pet adoption