Armenia-themed sneakers auctioned off for $40,300, proceeds will go to Armenia Fund

Public Radio of Armenia

Jan 12 2021
Special Armenia-themed sneakers were auctioned off for $40,300 at the NFL Auction. All proceeds will go to Armenia Fund. A total of 141 bids were submitted.
 
The sneakers were designed as part of NFL’s #MyCauseMyCleats (MCMC) initiative. All proceeds benefit charities identified by the specific player associated with the cleats, the NFL does not profit from the auction of these cleats.
 
“Bids poured in by the minute and eventually set an all-time NFL record for MCMC! It really was a sight to behold. I probably said “wow” 25 times & thought what an honor it is to serve with such giving people,” said Berj Najarian, the man behind the initiative.
 
New England Patriots director of football/head coach administration Berj Najarian usually keeps behind the scenes, but he went out of his comfort zone to shine light on an important human rights issue.
 
An Armenian-American, Najarian joined Instagram with the intention of bringing awareness to the deadly and unrelenting attacks on the Armenian people by neighboring Azerbaijan.
 
My Cause, My Cleats is an NFL initiative that encourages coaches and players to wear custom cleats, highlighting organizations and issues that are important to them.
 

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS