NFL quarterback asks patients to design his football cleats
Two St. Louis Children’s Hospital patients, Cally and Raelle, designed custom football cleats for NFL quarterback Brady Cook as part of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative. Brady is a St. Louis native, Mizzou graduate, and member of the New York Jets. Each season, NFL players, coaches, and staff display custom and creatively designed cleats to elevate important causes and nonprofit organizations.
“St. Louis is where I became who I am,” Brady says. “I chose St. Louis Children’s Hospital because I want to support a cause that is close to home and help kids from my hometown who are in need. I want to be able to provide excitement and passion to these patients.”
The My Cause, My Cleats initiative was a perfect fit for St. Louis Children’s Child Life Art Therapy program, which nurtures the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of patients through creative expression. Art therapy is often used to promote relaxation, support emotional processing, encourage cognitive engagement, and offer children a sense of control during a time when much of their world feels unpredictable.
Cally, a 10-year-old from Fenton, Missouri, is known for her creativity and love of art. During her treatment journey, art has remained a constant source of joy and control. Working alongside Child Life art therapist Daphne Dierkes, ATR, LPC, Cally thoughtfully incorporated meaningful details into her design for Brady’s cleats, including a pom-pom element she worked hard to perfect.
“Cally’s health journey hasn’t always been easy,” says her mom, Kacie. “Having moments like this—moments that bring joy—mean so much to our whole family. The Child Life art, music, and physical therapy teams truly care, and you can feel that every step of the way.”
Raelle, an 8-year-old from Mattoon, Illinois, brought the same care and intention to her cleat design. Proud of her connection to St. Louis Children’s, Raelle carefully blended symbols that reflected both her own interests and what she imagined Brady would value, such as a field goal and the Gateway Arch. Although the girls worked separately and never saw each other’s designs, their finished cleats created a beautiful piece of art and a symbol of comfort and belonging.
“Being from Illinois, St. Louis Children’s has really become our home away from home,” says Raelle’s mom, Holly. “Child Life has figured out how to turn something that’s scary into something more positive. Raelle loves this hospital and is proud of the way it makes her feel.”
Daphne, who works closely with pediatric oncology patients, emphasizes that her role is not to direct the art, but to support the child behind it.
“With this project, the girls didn’t need much guidance—they needed space, materials, and a calm environment to let their vision come to life,” Daphne says. “My role was simply to be a supportive partner in the creative process.”
She added that opportunities like this allow patients to step outside of their medical identity and be seen for who they are.
“It’s a chance for them to share a piece of their heart with the world and experience something extraordinary beyond the routine of hospital life,” Daphne says.
During a virtual call with the girls and their families, Brady revealed the completed cleats, and the girls beamed with pride. Brady will wear the cleats at practices and throughout a summer camp he is hosting, helping to amplify the voices of St. Louis Children’s patients on a national platform.
The cleats will later be auctioned off to support the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation. Art therapy and other expressive therapy programs are provided at no cost to families thanks to the generous support of donors to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation.
