Every year, NFL players from around the country participate in the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign to reflect their commitment to a charity near to their heart. Players work with companies like Nike, Under Armour and Adidas to design special cleats that feature the logo of their selected charity. This year, for the first time ever, a player from the Philadelphia Eagles, Running Back Boston Scott, took to the field with cleats sporting the logo of the American Neurological Association (ANA), a society of academic neurologists and neuroscientists devoted to training and educating neurologists and other physicians to expand the understanding of nervous system diseases and their treatments.
Many players are drawn to their cause through the inspiration of someone special in their lives, but Scott’s story reflects a personal health scare that occurred earlier in his career, and left him and his family scrambling for answers - answers a neuromuscular specialist was finally able to provide.
“My freshman year of college I started experiencing cramps, muscle twitching, fatigue, aches and pains, even without doing much, so we knew it wasn’t over-worked muscles causing it,” Scott explained. “It was a long road with many different specialists to diagnose the condition known as cramp-fasciculation syndrome and eventually we were able to manage it with a strict diet and care for my body. I was so grateful for the specialists who were able to help me pursue my career.”
Then this past year, Scott’s father suffered a stroke that affected his right side and his speech. Because of football’s unprecedented off-season, Scott was able to devote time over the summer to help in his father’s recovery. “Because of my own experiences, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of the work of educators and researchers in this complex field,” Scott observed. “I chose ANA for the My Cause, My Cleats program because I appreciated how they encourage those interested in pursuing research opportunities, and provide support to students in this field, which is critical to advance our understanding of an area so complex.”
Scott says he is grateful for his support system of family and friends, observing, “There are a lot of people out there dealing with things that are negative, more difficult than what I dealt with and even what my father is dealing with. My heart goes out to people who struggle and I want to do the best I can with the platform that God has given me to be able to support and motivate people.”
Scott soon will be putting his special “My Cause, My Cleats” up for auction on the NFL site NFLAuction.nfl.com where proceeds from the sale of his cleats will be donated to the ANA.
“I’m so inspired by the work their members do, I’m happy to support them,” he said.
About NFL My Cause, My Cleats
NFL players reveal their passions beyond the game and wear their hearts on their feet through My Cause My Cleats. Players have the opportunity to pick a cause that is important to them and represent their chosen organization on custom designed cleats.
