Whether it’s an impressive individual performance, a thrilling comeback victory, or a compelling off-the-field anecdote, each week of the NFL season is filled with its share of exciting moments and memorable stories.  For some, Week 13 of the NFL season is particularly special, standing out just a little bit more compared to the rest of the season.  This is because Week 13 is the official week of My Cause, My Cleats.

New England Patriots Offensive Tackle, Nate Solder’s cleats that are up for auction

My Cause, My Cleats is an NFL provides NFL players with an opportunity and a platform to share the causes that are important to them. To do so, during Week 13 of the NFL season players wore custom-designed cleats on the field to showcase their specific causes or charities.  A number of the custom cleats are then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds being donated to the specific cause each player supported. 

Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle for the New England Patriots, was among the many players who participated in the program.  A two-time Super Bowl Champion, the 2017-2018 season is Nate’s 7^th year in the NFL where he’s consistently been a valuable contributor.   Like many players involved in the program, Nate’s cause is very close to his heart, and he’s bringing awareness to something that’s greatly impacted his life and the lives of his family.

Nate’s cause is The Jimmy Fund and the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Both organizations raise money and support adult and pediatric cancer care and research, and are located in Massachusetts where Nate resides.  Nate’s son, Hudson Solder, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015 as a baby and continues to undergo treatment today.  Nate himself is a cancer survivor as well; he was diagnosed in April 2014 but is now completely healthy after undergoing surgery and treatment. 

Nate Solder with his son, Hudson

Nate’s cleats are colored blue and yellow, featuring an image of Hudson as well as the childhood cancer yellow ribbon.  Next to his son’s image is the very appropriate phrase “Tough like My Dad.”  Nate and his wife designed the cleats with his good friend and local artist, who painted the cleats for Nate’s involvement this year. 

Now that the NFL Week 13 has concluded, Nate intends the auction off his cleats with the entire proceeds being donated to the Jimmy Fund and the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.  To bid on Nate’s cleats before the December 31st closing date, access the page here.

As the Official Wi-Fi Network Solutions Provider of the NFL and partner of the New England Patriots, Extreme Networks is humbled and honored to support the League’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative, and we are incredibly grateful to partner with Nate to support his cause.  We wish him and his family the very best. 

Learn more about Nate’s story and My Cause/My Cleats here:

• Nate Solder’s My Cause, My Cleats Story
• Nate Solder Nominated for NFL’s Walter Payton of the Year Award
• NFL’s My Cause, My Cleat Program