Kyle Rudolph Among NFL Stars Making Impact in My Cause My Cleats

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Long before Minnesota Vikings’ tight end Kyle Rudolph’s NFL career took off, his family was touched by a rare form of pediatric cancer with when his younger brother, Casey, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma shortly after birth. Although Kyle was only 15 months old when his brother was diagnosed and Casey made a full recovery, it is a cause that continues to have an impact on the veteran tight end.

That’s why Rudolph will join over 900 estimated NFL players this week as they break the NFL’s typically strict uniform code and wear custom designed cleats to support a cause close that is close to their hearts in the league’s fourth annual ‘My Cause My Cleats’ initiative.

Rudolph unveiled the cleats he will be wearing this Sunday against the division rival Detroit Lions at the M Health Fairview, University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital last week during his visit in the pediatric ward where funds raised through the sale of his game-worn cleats will go. In addition, he recognized 3M Open for its ongoing commitment and as a pillar partner to the children's hospital.

“These kids most of them will probably still be in the (hospital) when they’re watching the game when I’m wearing them and they’ll feel a connection to those cleats,” Rudolph said. “They’ll think ‘I was a part of that and I saw the cleats for the first time.’ Hopefully I score a touchdown this Sunday in them.”

The cleats are unique because they were designed to recreate the exterior of the children’s hospital. He explained that the cleats are representative of the hospital and all of the doctors, nurses, and patients and their families that they have known.

“Everything that we do at the hospital is directly for the patients and their families,” the two-time Pro Bowl tight end explained. “All of our time and energy is dedicated to making their experience just a little more enjoyable (during a tough time).”

Community service has been a focal point for Rudolph throughout his career and last year he was the Vikings team nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It is widely considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors recognizing players for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field.

“The Huddle for 100 is an unbelievable initiative by the NFL to make an impact in this community,” added Rudolph. “Partnering with the NFL in its 100th season and having the opportunity to support those in need in the Twin City community is such an incredible experience.”

In 2017, the Vikings tight end donated $250,000 to the M Health Fairview, University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital to help with the launch of Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone, a 2,500-square-foot therapeutic patient care space that offers patients and their families a place to engage in various activities outside of their hospital rooms or in between clinic visits.

“Kyle Rudloph’s End Zone is the culmination of my family’s story, my brother’s story and many patients and families that we’ve gotten to know at the hospital over the years,” the Vikings tight end said. “These kids often times have their childhood stricken from them abruptly and all they want to do is be normal kids. We wanted to provide a space to them no matter what they are going through or what their limitations may be – they can go down in the End Zone and be a kid.”

“To give them a space that I would have used, my brother would have used and to now be able to have that here brings things full circle.”

Selected causes represent hundreds of different charitable organizations with varying focuses. Out of the total, 24 percent of participating players will represent causes related to health and wellness, 18 percent place emphasis on cancer awareness and prevention, while 17 percent of player causes were youth-focused.

"The positive influence of NFL players extends far beyond the field, a time of year, or the game itself," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "What makes 'My Cause My Cleats' so special, is that it provides players with an opportunity to bring attention to – and raise awareness and money for – the causes that are closest to their hearts. The fact that more than half of the players in the league are participating this year underscores the tremendous passion they have for giving back."

Players will share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media, using the hashtag #MyCauseMyCleats. Players and teams worked directly with Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and local artists to customize and design their cleats.

Players can also raise funds for their cause of choice through auctioning their cleats via NFL Auction; 100% of funds raised will be donated to charities selected by players. Fans may bid on game-issued player cleats at NFL.com/Auction. In addition, fans can visit www.nfl.com/mycausemycleats to learn more about each player's cause. A full list of player participating in the initiative is available by clicking here.