The immigrant expertise holds particular which means to Rams defensive finish Kobie Turner — his grandfather immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica and his spouse’s dad and mom immigrated from Peru. When selecting a company to spotlight within the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” marketing campaign, he wished to point out assist not just for his household however all immigrants as properly.
“There’s been a lot of hard times as of late, a lot of families that are not sure what comes next and I just want to uplift them,” Turner mentioned. “Immigrants are so important to America; they are the backbone to this country.”
The NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative began after Chicago Bears large receiver Brandon Marshall was fined for violating the league’s uniform coverage when he wore cleats selling Psychological Well being Consciousness Week in October 2013.
After criticizing the NFL for failing to assist gamers and their charitable causes, he met with league officers and two sides created a marketing campaign that allowed gamers to put on custom-designed cleats that highlighted a company they assist. Since 2016 the “My Cause My Cleats” marketing campaign has been a mainstay on the NFL calendar.
With the immigrant group in Los Angeles and throughout the nation coping with raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Turner wished to satisfy the second by partnering with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, a company that advocates for the civil rights of immigrants and refugees.
Rams defensive finish Kobie Turner’s cleats for the NFL’s 2025 “My Cause My Cleats” marketing campaign. The cleats assist CHIRLA, a company devoted to the advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees.
(Los Angeles Rams)
He’s the one participant within the NFL supporting an immigrant rights charity by way of the “My Cause My Cleats” marketing campaign.
“I really wanted to do something to lend a voice to the immigrant community,” Turner mentioned, “and I know that CHIRLA does a really good job of providing opportunities and pathways for citizenship.”
Luis Tadeo, director of selling and public relations of CHIRLA, understands the vital position sports activities and tradition play in shaping the best way that the group engages and heals in unprecedented occasions. He is aware of having the assist of a star participant on one among L.A.’s greatest sports activities groups is a strong assertion.
“We hope that other players and other teams in Los Angeles, who have been silent during these moments, see Turner and the Rams as an example of what they could do for immigrant families,” Tadeo mentioned.
Turner, 26, will put on the intense pink cleats when the Rams go for his or her sixth consecutive win Sunday evening in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium. One of many stars of a Rams pass-rushing contingent that features Byron Younger, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, Turner has 22 tackles and 1½ sacks for an 8-2 Rams crew that’s among the many favorites to win the Tremendous Bowl.
Bursting onto the NFL scene two years in the past with a formidable nine-sack rookie marketing campaign, Turner gained fame for an look on “The Masked Singer” final 12 months, belting out notes befitting of “The Conductor” nickname he earned whereas singing in school. Music and soccer performed massive roles in Turner’s life whereas rising up within the Washington, D.C., suburb of Clifton, Va.
Rams defensive finish Kobie Turner tries to interrupt by way of the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line throughout a recreation on Oct. 12.
(Terrance Williams / Related Press)
Now he desires to provide a voice to one thing that goes past soccer and singing — he desires to remind everybody that immigrants are an integral a part of American tradition.
“You look around and you see ‘Vamos Rams,’ the communities that we serve are immigrant communities,” Turner mentioned. “It’s important to be able to lend a voice to those people and let them know that they are being heard.”
For Turner, his charitable efforts transcend this weekend. On Tuesday, Turner, Rams workers members and cheerleaders, along side South L.A. nonprofit A Place Referred to as Dwelling, will serve meals and distribute 400 turkeys and Thanksgiving provides to households in want. Turner additionally will carry out with 29Live, the youth band of A Place Referred to as Dwelling, throughout the occasion.
CHIRLA members will attend Sunday’s recreation with a gaggle of immigrant youth. In a time when federal brokers are detaining and arresting immigrants throughout the U.S., Tadeo hopes Turner and his cleats will assist promote change.
“Our mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants, and whether that’s on the football pitch, if it’s in the halls of Congress, if it’s at the White House making decisions on laws that will impact the lives of immigrants, we need all of the support,” Tadeo mentioned.
