New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook is carrying his hometown with him—every step of the way. The St. Louis standout, who starred at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 2020 to 2024, made his first NFL start in December 2025, and with it, used one of the league’s biggest stages to spotlight a cause rooted back home.
Through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats program, players work with artists to craft custom cleats in support of charitable causes and nonprofit organizations. Cook chose to support the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and collaborated with two patients—10-year-old Cally and 8-year-old Raelle—alongside the hospital’s art therapist to create a design that was personally meaningful to the girls and a tribute to the city.
Your guide to a healthier, happier you
Sign up for the St. Louis Wellness newsletter and get practical tips for a balanced, healthy life in St. Louis.
“I wanted to support a cause that is close to home and helps kids from my hometown who are less fortunate than I am,” Cook says. “I want to give back excitement and passion to them.”
Cally and Raelle are oncology patients at Children’s. The hospital’s art therapy program uses the creative process to improve and enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being during treatment. Both kids are also athletes when at home who participate in basketball, gymnastics, and softball.
“Some of the best athletes in the country come from St. Louis, and knowing future superstars designed my cleats gives me confidence knowing I’m going to wear them,” Cook says. “My advice for them is to enjoy the game you play every single time you get the chance—and to always have your teammates’ back.”
Art therapy provides patients at Children’s a tangible chance to regain control when so much of their hospital and treatment experience is regimented.
“It gives them an opportunity outside of the day-to-day of their treatment and share a piece of their heart and mind with the outside world,” St. Louis Children’s Hospital hematology & oncology art therapist Daphne Dierkes says.
Cally and Raelle had less than 24 hours to develop design ideas for the cleats after they were approached with the opportunity to participate. Dierkes challenged the kids to think about how they’d represent the themes of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the Jets, art-making, and Brady Cook.
“Cally and Raelle did not need much to be able to run with that,” she says. “They were so excited to share their love of sports and art-making, plus other key pieces for them, like faith. They just ran with it.”
This collaborative sprint resulted in more than just a piece of athletic gear; it became a canvas for the pair’s resilience and creativity. For Dierkes, the final product serves as a reminder of why these artistic outlets are vital in a hospital setting.
“When children’s art is showcased, we get to have a really unique opportunity to show what makes their heart happy,” she says. “To be able to show what makes kids kids. I hope it shows that creativity is such a powerful tool to find the light. Being able to play and show their love for something is truly a very special and unique opportunity for these kids. It never gets old.”
