Pink cleats idea came from DeAngelo Williams

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Mike Florio on October 8, 2009 7:15 AM ET

Some of you might have wondered how the NFL decided to permit players to wear pink cleats and other accessories during the month of October.

According to Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com, the idea for the promotion of breast cancer awareness came not from some tie-wearing exec on Park Avenue, but from a member of the rank and file.

Running back DeAngelo Williams, per Reed, petitioned the league during the offseason for permission to wear pink cleats to help the cause.

"It means something to a lot of people affected by it," Williams said. "Families and the people actually affected by it. Nothing is stronger than wearing pink on the thing that keeps you going in the National Football League and that's your cleats. . . . Because if you don't have a firm foot in the ground you're going to slip."

The fact that the uniform-obsessed NFL made the gesture in the first place was significant on its own; the fact that the idea came from one of the league's player makes it an even bigger deal, in our view.

 

[zrinkill]

Stepping away from my newest role for a minute.

My little sister is 30 years old and has brain Cancer.

Even though this is actually about Breast Cancer, many of you probably do not know how touching it is for any cancer patient to see those players wearing pink.

I do not know how much it helps ...... but it gives them a feeling of togetherness knowing how many have had to fight.

I am glad the NFL allowed the players to do this.


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[HoleInTheRoof]

I can appreciate the gesture, but I'm already a little tired of seeing pink hats, gloves, everything. This is now going to last all month? And you know it'll be an annual thing as well.

 

[Biggems]

I can appreciate the gesture, but I'm already a little tired of seeing pink hats, gloves, everything. This is now going to last all month? And you know it'll be an annual thing as well.

well i want to see more pink. I wish the cowboys would wear pink jerseys with blue numbers and a pink helmet with blue stars.....

if it will help raise awareness and save lives............pink all day, every day of the month.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Posted by Mike Florio on October 8, 2009 7:15 AM ET

Some of you might have wondered how the NFL decided to permit players to wear pink cleats and other accessories during the month of October.

According to Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com, the idea for the promotion of breast cancer awareness came not from some tie-wearing exec on Park Avenue, but from a member of the rank and file.

Running back DeAngelo Williams, per Reed, petitioned the league during the offseason for permission to wear pink cleats to help the cause.

"It means something to a lot of people affected by it," Williams said. "Families and the people actually affected by it. Nothing is stronger than wearing pink on the thing that keeps you going in the National Football League and that's your cleats. . . . Because if you don't have a firm foot in the ground you're going to slip."

The fact that the uniform-obsessed NFL made the gesture in the first place was significant on its own; the fact that the idea came from one of the league's player makes it an even bigger deal, in our view.

His mother has/had cancer. It's one of the main reasons he chose Univ of Memphis so he could be close to her.

 

[Hoofbite]

Stepping away from my newest role for a minute.

My little sister is 30 years old and has brain Cancer.

Even though this is actually about Breast Cancer, many of you probably do not know how touching it is for any cancer patient to see those players wearing pink.

I do not know how much it helps ...... but it gives them a feeling of togetherness knowing how many have had to fight.

I am glad the NFL allowed the players to do this.


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Why do you have a "newest role"?

Why would you have any role?

 

[KingintheNorth]

I can appreciate the gesture, but I'm already a little tired of seeing pink hats, gloves, everything. This is now going to last all month? And you know it'll be an annual thing as well.

I understand what you're saying and if it was for any other reason, I might agree. But this is an amazing thing they are doing and I'm glad the NFL loosened up their rigid uniform rules for it.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I am all for the pink stuff to raise awareness. It doesn't bother me at all. Good job by the league and the everyone for doing this. Great cause.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

well i want to see more pink. I wish the cowboys would wear pink jerseys with blue numbers and a pink helmet with blue stars.....

if it will help raise awareness and save lives............pink all day, every day of the month.

Raising awareness? Really?

Yeah, because not many people are aware of cancer.

Thanks to pink cleats, there are literally 10's of people around the country who are now suddenly aware that a disease called cancer exists.

My original comments still stand. Let the players wear the colored cleats for one game. Not colored cleats, hats, towels, gloves, etc, for an entire month - which will turn into a yearly thing.

If raising money is the issue, then let volunteers collect donations at the gate, or have a portion of proceeds for the month go to the American Cancer Society.

But raising awareness for cancer is like raising awareness for oxygen. Odds are, if you're alive, you're aware of it.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

Raising awareness? Really?

Yeah, because not many people are aware of cancer.

Thanks to pink cleats, there are literally 10's of people around the country who are now suddenly aware that a disease called cancer exists.

My original comments still stand. Let the players wear the colored cleats for one game. Not colored cleats, hats, towels, gloves, etc, for an entire month - which will turn into a yearly thing.

If raising money is the issue, then let volunteers collect donations at the gate, or have a portion of proceeds for the month go to the American Cancer Society.

But raising awareness for cancer is like raising awareness for oxygen. Odds are, if you're alive, you're aware of it.

My grandmother died of breast cancer 7 years ago. That said, I completely agree with the above poster. The idea of "Cancer Awareness" is ********. Stupid concept. If they are somehow making money for breast cancer charities from this.. then more power to them, but if not, then whats the point.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Raising awareness? Really?

Yeah, because not many people are aware of cancer.

Thanks to pink cleats, there are literally 10's of people around the country who are now suddenly aware that a disease called cancer exists.

My original comments still stand. Let the players wear the colored cleats for one game. Not colored cleats, hats, towels, gloves, etc, for an entire month - which will turn into a yearly thing.

If raising money is the issue, then let volunteers collect donations at the gate, or have a portion of proceeds for the month go to the American Cancer Society.

But raising awareness for cancer is like raising awareness for oxygen. Odds are, if you're alive, you're aware of it.

My grandmother died of breast cancer 7 years ago. That said, I completely agree with the above poster. The idea of "Cancer Awareness" is ********. Stupid concept. If they are somehow making money for breast cancer charities from this.. then more power to them, but if not, then whats the point.

It's not about making people aware. You guys need to get past the idea of awareness. People know about breast cancer, as well as most major cancers affecting people. It's simply the name of the charity drive.

It's the Susan G. Komen foundation's annual national push to get donations for breast cancer research. After this month or so passes, they'll go back to their normal charity drive efforts.

 

[joseephuss]

It's not about making people aware. You guys need to get past the idea of awareness. People know about breast cancer, as well as most major cancers affecting people. It's simply the name of the charity drive.

It's the Susan G. Komen foundation's annual national push to get donations for breast cancer research. After this month or so passes, they'll go back to their normal charity drive efforts.

Some people just like to complain.

If all this does is get 10 extra people to donate to cancer research and treatment then it is a good thing. Of course it is going to do more than that. People already are very aware of cancer, but when you see something like the NFL wearing pink cleats, wristbands and anything else for a brief time it influences a few people to make a donation when they previously have never done so. Plus they will be auctioning off the gear to raise even more money.

There is a point to the NFL joining the breast cancer awareness month and it is a good one.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Some people just like to complain.

If all this does is get 10 extra people to donate to cancer research and treatment then it is a good thing. Of course it is going to do more than that. People already are very aware of cancer, but when you see something like the NFL wearing pink cleats, wristbands and anything else for a brief time it influences a few people to make a donation when they previously have never done so. Plus they will be auctioning off the gear to raise even more money.

There is a point to the NFL joining the breast cancer awareness month and it is a good one.

They really do.

Because not every player even wore the cleats and stuff last week and there will probably be less players wearing those things going forward.

Those that will continue on, I say kudos to them.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Stepping away from my newest role for a minute.

My little sister is 30 years old and has brain Cancer.

Even though this is actually about Breast Cancer, many of you probably do not know how touching it is for any cancer patient to see those players wearing pink.

I do not know how much it helps ...... but it gives them a feeling of togetherness knowing how many have had to fight.

I am glad the NFL allowed the players to do this.


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sorry to hear that, man

 

[Joe Realist]

It's not about making people aware. You guys need to get past the idea of awareness. People know about breast cancer, as well as most major cancers affecting people. It's simply the name of the charity drive.

It's the Susan G. Komen foundation's annual national push to get donations for breast cancer research. After this month or so passes, they'll go back to their normal charity drive efforts.

The voice of reason

 

[AdamJT13]

The pink items weren't just to "raise awareness." They're being auctioned off to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

http://www.nflauction.nfl.com/

 

[Benny Blue Boy]

Someone just had to dumb this thread up, huh? I am not skeptical and neither is most of us with half of a brain that cancer has affected nearly all of us in some way...and they could wear pink helmets for all I care, it's football and I love it...but it ain't life.

 

[Sarge]

Now if Williams can produce a little more, my fantasy football team won't be TIED for first.