National Football League

NFL Rule Changes Should Include Making 'My Cause, My Cleats' A Fixture

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:48 p.m. ET

Fansided, Nafisa H/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

As it ponders rule changes, the NFL should consider extending its 'My Cause, My Cleats' campaign, making it a permanent staple

In Week 13 of the 2016 season, the NFL instituted their "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative. Players across the league wore custom cleats to benefit charities and causes of their choice without being fined for violating uniform or equipment rules. Perhaps the NFL believed that allowing players to raise awareness for causes during one week out of a highly politicized NFL season would lead players to refocus on the game afterwards.

Regardless of the NFL's reason for the initial campaign, the leagueshould consider allowing players to show their support and raise awareness for causes throughout the season while discussing other rule changes. Moreover, they should also look to implement methods to raise awareness throughout the year because these causes are ongoing.

Atlanta Falcons rookie cornerback Brian Poole was one of the players involved in the "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative. With violence and unrest persisting across the country following arguably racially-motivated fatal shootings at the hands of police, among other things, several NFL players voiced their opinions on the subject. Poole used the Week 13 league-wide initiative to make his voice hear as he sported custom cleats that read "Stop Police Brutality" and benefitted the Black Lives Matter Greater Atlanta Chapter.

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Elsewhere throughout the league, numerous other players joined in for "My Cause, My Cleats." Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown supported the Boys and Girls Club of America. Houston Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins raised support for the Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. The list goes on.

Off the field, there are no flags for personal fouls, unnecessary roughness or anything else. There is no two-minute warning and no fair-play. While it's great to escape with the beautiful game of football, there are things bigger than the game that can't be ignored.

So while the NFL's campaign, Poole and the other players' messages on their cleats are commendable, it shouldn't be something isolated to Week 13 of the 2016 season. Roger Goodell and the NFL should extend the "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign and motivate these athletes to stand for what they believe in and help as much as possible.

Like politicians, NFL players and officials all have a platform for change and must follow through and be consistent in order to succeed. Interestingly enough, Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has recognized this. He was able to help Oakland Police locate a three-year-old boy who had been abducted after his retweet raised awareness of the situation, per For The Win. This highlights the voice that these players and the NFL have.

Therefore, it's blind of the league to not allow these players to use that. As difficult as it is to relate at times, there's life beyond football. But football can affect change off the field when life is at stake. With 10s of millions of viewers each week, the league can raise awareness and support these causes with an extension of "My Cause, My Cleats."