Many different groups from sports teams to schools have been raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research. On the home front, our school is no exception. Stamford High was inspired to do a “Pink Out” last Friday. Students and teachers alike were decked out in pink shirts specifically sold to raise our goal of $10,000; students also wore pink breast cancer socks, pink bandanas, pink eye blacks and more. Some students even went as far as wearing pink wigs and pink pig noses to show their support. Our school showed a lot of pride in the success for this event as many Stamford High students attended the girls’ volleyball game, boys’ soccer game, and football game, sporting the pink gear. The football players also took a large part in this event, supporting breast cancer by wearing their own pink gear during the game. Similarly, the NFL has been raising awareness by wearing colors to support different charitable causes–and not only breast cancer.
Recently, not only has the NFL been showcasing their pink gear, but wide receiver Brandon Marshall of the Chicago Bears rocked some custom-made lime green cleats to show his personal support for Mental Illness Awareness Week. Being recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, he deemed it especially necessary to raise awareness– and didn’t even bother to ask for permission. Marshall will be fined for wearing the lime green cleats as the NFL has extremely specific guidelines concerning the players’ uniforms. If they are not abided by, a player can be fined or even expelled from the league.
Despite this, Marshall stands by his decision to wear the cleats due to the immense amount of awareness the controversy alone has risen. In 2011, Marshall began the Brandon Marshall Foundation in order to provide resources for those in need who have mental illnesses like borderline personality disorder. Marshall’s custom lime green cleats have not seen the end of the road. To raise money for his foundation, his cleats are currently being auctioned for $2,000.
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