Today, the Boys Town New England community joined New England Patriots Rookie Offensive Tackle Caedan Wallace for a special event unveiling his custom cleats, designed for the NFL’s annual My Cause My Cleats campaign.
The event took place inside one of the six Family Homes located on Boys Town New England’s Bazarsky Campus in Portsmouth, bringing together the children, families, and staff that make up this vibrant community.
The custom cleats were designed and hand painted by students from Boys Town High School’s art class at the organization’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In total, the process took more than a week to complete. The colorful creation embodies Boys Town’s mission of empowering youth and promoting resilience. Spelled out on the cleats are the words “Teach Love,” “Foster Care,” “Compete with Character,” “Saving Children, Healing Families,” and the iconic Boys Town phrase, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother,” which originated with the founder of Boys Town, Father Flanagan.
The celebration featured a lively Q&A session with Wallace and kids from Boys Town New England, followed by the official presentation of the cleats. The event’s setting provided a warm and welcoming backdrop, reflecting Boys Town New England’s commitment to offering a supportive environment where children can grow and thrive.
“Hosting this event in one of our Family Homes added a special layer of meaning, as it’s a place where young people receive support and a sense of belonging,” said Sarah Galvan, Executive Director of Boys Town New England. “Caedan’s partnership with us for the ‘My Cause My Cleats’ campaign is an exciting opportunity to share our very special story with the broader community.”
Drafted by the Patriots in 2024, Wallace has quickly become a standout in New England, earning a reputation for his dedication, resilience, and strong on-field performance. A former All-American at Penn State, Wallace has also shown a deep commitment to giving back off the field. His partnership with Boys Town New England is a way for him to make a positive impact, supporting an organization that uplifts youth through care, education, and advocacy.
“Seeing the cleats for the first time tonight was a really special moment,” said Caedan Wallace. “The kids put so much thought and creativity into the design, and did an amazing job capturing the spirit of Boys Town. I’m honored to wear these cleats and raise awareness for an organization that makes such a positive impact on young lives.”
Wallace will debut his custom-designed cleats on December 1 when the Patriots take on the Indianapolis Colts at home. Now in its ninth season, My Cause My Cleats celebrates the positive impact players make in communities across the world by highlighting relevant issues and causes on specially designed cleats throughout games during Weeks 13 and 14 of the NFL season.
For more information on how you can donate to this campaign, click here.
