Philly Leader

During Weeks 13 and 14 of the NFL season, players will wear customized cleats to support causes important to them as part of the My Cause My Cleats initiative. Eagles offensive lineman Darian Kinnard has chosen to honor the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) through this program.

Kinnard, who has family ties to the military, selected WWP due to its mission of supporting wounded service members. The organization started in 2003 by providing care items for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and now offers mental health services, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care.

"Building a team is the main goal and support for each other is part of that goal," said Kimberly Washington, a WWP Peer Leader. "If they weren't there, there's no other entity that would help support us."

Kinnard's personal connection comes from his great grandfather and several relatives who served in the military, as well as his mother Mandy Headrick's work with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. "I think I really saw how overlooked veterans are in our country and our community," Kinnard noted.

Members of the Wounded Warrior Project visited Lincoln Financial Field, where Kinnard showed them around. Anthony Webb from WWP expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Eagles: "My heart is warm for one. To let us know that hey, we do exist, we do make a difference."

Kinnard revealed his custom cleats inside the locker room during their visit. "I thought the cleats looked sick... Every scar they have is a message," he said about their design.

He looks forward to wearing these cleats on game days in support of veterans.