Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Kerr will be wearing purple kicks for the next few weeks to show his support in raising awareness about sarcoidosis. Zach selected FSR as his charity of choice for the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign this year.
Zach’s Cause: Sack Sarcoidosis
Zach Kerr has teamed up with the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) as a spokesperson to raise awareness about sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can wreak havoc on virtually any part of the body. For Zach, a defensive end for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, this fight is personal. Zach’s mother, Tinya Kerr, has battled sarcoidosis for years. Now, Kerr is using his platform to raise awareness about this rare, often-overlooked disease. Zach will be wearing custom purple cleats on the field to raise awareness about sarcoidosis and promote his Sack Sarcoidosis fundraising campaign to advance sarcoidosis research.
Want to help Zach in his mission to Sack Sarcoidosis?
My Cause, My Cleats
The initiative was created in 2016 for NFL players to showcase the charitable cause that is most important to them during Week 13 of the NFL season. Players wear custom-designed cleats that depict the cause that is most important to them, allowing for storytelling and advocacy both on and off the field. In the inaugural year, over 500 players sported custom cleats. This year, the My Cause, My Cleats initiative has been expanded to a three week long stretch to increase the exposure and awareness of players’ causes; over 800 players will be participating. The Denver Broncos will be featuring their players’ cleats and respective causes during their home game on Saturday, December 15th against the Cleveland Browns.
Zach and Tinya’s Stories
Tinya Kerr was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in the early 2000s while living in Maryland with her three children. Like many sarcoidosis patients, Tinya has had a roller coaster of a journey between getting diagnosed, finding the right treatment plan, and battling flare-ups over the years including multiple long-term hospitalizations. When her son, Zach, found himself on a successful career path in the NFL, he decided to use his platform to raise awareness about this over-overlooked disease that has had such a profound affect on his family.