The Philadelphia Eagles’ players will lace up for the My Cause, My Cleats campaign against the Ravens on Sunday, December 1st. The NFL campaign, My Cause My Cleats, begins its ninth season this weekend. This annual initiative empowers players to showcase a chosen organization dear to their heart that they represent via custom-designed cleats.
In addition to bringing awareness to their cause, they can raise money for them by auctioning off their cleats at the NFL Auction for fans to bid. One hundred percent of the money is donated to that player’s charity!
“Our players are passionate supporters of many charitable causes and serve as changemakers in their communities.” – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
Giving back to the many communities and raising money for various charities has become a staple of the NFL. Today, when the Philadelphia Eagles play the Ravens in Baltimore, Kenneth Gainwell will represent a cause dear to his heart and honor someone very special to him, his brother Curtis. Kenneth will showcase his colorful cleats for the Pediatric Stroke Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Brotherly Love
Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell has always put family first. His family means everything to him. He doesn’t just say it; he backs it up and lives it. When Kenneth played every down with everything he had in Mississippi and Memphis and then looked into the stands to find his brother, Curtis, he did it for his family. He did it to honor his older brother.
“What he’s gone through, what he’s had to deal with, has only made me work harder, I’m playing for the both of us. To find him (Curtis Jr) in the stadium every time I scored just to see his smile. Every time he smiled it made me smile. I’m just thankful to still have him still here on this earth. I’m proud of him, he’s working real hard.”
When Kenny was 13 his older brother, Curtis, was attempting to become a Southern Miss walk-on for the football team when he suffered a life-altering stroke while weightlifting.
”I had a headache, I didn’t feel good that day. I knew there was something wrong. I didn’t know it was gonna be a stroke” Curtis Gainwell recalled in an interview with ESPN. “If I didn’t get to the hospital in time, I could’ve been gone.”
He was given three life-saving surgeries in one day to stop the brain bleed and has since undergone four brain surgeries. Curtis then endured the daunting task of learning to walk and talk again. Kenneth, who always looked up to his big brother, was motivated and given strength by Curtis’ resolve. He takes that to the field every time he plays.
Overcoming obstacles and life’s hardships is nothing new for the Gainwell family. Knowing Kenny Gainwell’s past gives you insight into his determination and optimism for the future. The Eagles young running back has shown no signs of letting anything stop him with his on-field play this season.
If you thought he would sit back and watch his opportunity slip away, you do not know Kenny Gainwell.
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