Josh Allen joined a Zoom call in late November prepared to collaborate on a cleat design. Little did he know, the work had already been done before him.
Thomas Low, 10, had his concept ready to go when he met with Allen and designer Tom O'Brien, an art teacher for Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
Low, a former patient who underwent emergency brain surgery at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, chose to go with angel wings on the back of the cleats as a nod to the hospital's nurses and stripes on the side to match the colors on the hospitals windows.
O'Brien brought the concept to life, which you'll see on Allen's feet when he takes the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign.
"My Cause, My Cleats" is in an initiative in which players design cleats to support a charitable cause of their choosing. The cleats are then auctioned off, with proceeds going to that charity.
Check out the Bills' players' designs in the gallery below.
When the Bills take the field against the Steelers in Week 14, Buffalo Bills players and staff members will be wearing cleats and shoes to bring awareness and support to causes and organizations that are important to them, as part of the NFL's "My Cause My Cleats" initiative. Scroll through to view photos of some of the cleats that will be worn during the game.
Andre Roberts, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Reid Ferguson, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Reid Ferguson, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Chad Hall. My Cause My Cleats, December 11, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Leslie Frazier, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Micah Hyde, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Micah Hyde, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Sean McDermott, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Sean McDermott, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Sean McDermott, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Harrison Phillips, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Bobby Johnson, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Eric Washington, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Eric Washington, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Josh Allen, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Bobby Babich, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Davis Webb, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Davis Webb, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Corey Bojorquez, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Corey Bojorquez, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Jacques Cesaire, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Brandon Beane, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Brandon Beane, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Corey Bojorquez, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Corey Bojorquez, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Lee Smith, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Justin Zimmer, My Cause My Cleats, December 10, 2020. Photo by Bill Wippert
Cody Ford
Cody Ford
Cody Ford
Bills safety Micah Hyde, who is supporting children through his Imagine Youth Foundation, said the initiative is a popular way for players to creatively promote their causes.
"I love it," Hyde said. "Every year, I think the NFL does an awesome job of promoting it and then on top of that, with our organization, the Buffalo Bills having guys who design cleats, helping us out, it's cool. This is my fourth year doing it. I've tried to switch up the colors, switch up the ideas and, at the end of the day, try to promote the cause."
Dion Dawkins spoke about relishing the chance to support his Dion's Dreamers organization.
"I'm a big community guy, so anything I could do to help just to bring light on families that need help and certain areas of the city, I'm all for it," Dawkins said.
Here's a list of Bills participants:
Josh Allen – John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
Bobby Babich – Ovarian Cancer Project
Brandon Beane – Bills Muttfia
Corey Bojorquez – P.U.N.T. Foundation
Jacques Cesaire – Children's Heritage Foundation
Dion Dawkins – Dion's Dreamers
Ken Dorsey – National Organization for Rare Disorders
Tremaine Edmunds – My Brothers Keeper
Reid Ferguson – American Cancer Society
Cody Ford – Eight Days of Hope
Leslie Frazier – National Urban League
Chad Hall – Pigskin Patriots
Jonotthan Harrison – Stomp Out Bullying
Terry Heffernan – Dr. Kristy KC Foundation
Micah Hyde – Imagine Youth Foundation
Bobby Johnson – National Urban League
Dawson Knox – P.U.N.T. Foundation
Mark Lubick – Ram Strength Lubick Foundation
Sean McDermott – Skin Cancer Foundation
Trent Murphy – Venison Donation Coalition
Harrison Phillips – The Playmakers & Fuel Up to Play 60
Andre Roberts – TAPS
Lee Smith – P.U.N.T. Foundation
Kelly Skipper – National Urban League
Shea Tierney – National Association of the Deaf
Levi Wallace – ALS Association
Eric Washington – Color of Change
Davis Webb – Special Olympics
Justin Zimmer – For Goodness Sake
