As 14 students sat at tables in the art room at Brooklyn School – a part of the Brooklyn City School District – they each drew their own cleat designs on worksheets.
Their art teacher, Joanne Becker, and local artist Jonathan Hrusovsky, walked around the classroom to talk with students and see their designs. As the students worked diligently on their drawings, they received a visit from a special guest. DT Shelby Harris walked into the classroom and greeted the students, and each student’s face lit up with excitement.
Harris shared with the students that the designs they were drawing would be featured on a pair of cleats Harris would wear in Week 13 against the 49ers as part of the NFL’s league-wide initiative My Cause My Cleats. He also explained that Hrusovsky would take their drawings and incorporate all the elements onto the cleats.
“Seeing all these different designs, I’m just very excited to see how they will all come together. I think that all these kids are extremely talented, and everyone has their own personality that kind of comes behind it,” Harris said. “They wouldn’t have put it down and drawn it if it’s not something that was near and dear to their heart, and so, I’m excited to show showcase it on the shoes.”
Harris’ cleats were designed by Hrusovsky, the artist behind “Hrusovsky’s Custom Kicks,” a Cleveland-based venture specializing in hand-painted, one-of-a-kind designs on footwear and other sporting equipment. His portfolio includes collaborations with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, MLB All-Star Weekend and the Cleveland Guardians, as well as former Browns player Austin Hooper, Anthony Walker Jr. and Maurice Hurst II for My Cause My Cleats.
This is the third season Hrusovsky has worked with the Browns as part of My Cause My Cleats. Hrusovsky compiled elements from the students’ drawings into the cleats, including different colors or characters, to highlight the creativity of the students.
“I love this year’s (designs). So, this year we saw a lot more kids use – besides just the brown and orange – more colors. One girl had almost pastel-like colors and flowers. I just love that. She just loves to be very colorful. And so, it’s nice to see that. They just have some very creative minds,” Hrusovsky said. “It’s always an honor to be back, to have the kids show off their creativity. It’s got a special place in my heart for all this, to see all the creativity, and how many kids can be so creative. So, it’s just amazing. It’s been a blessing to be able to do this.”