The number of people who label themselves sneakerheads grows every year. With that, it only makes sense that more and more professional athletes are tuned in to high-profile sneaker releases new and old. That's not to say the connections aren't genuine, though—plenty of pros have personal ties to certain pieces of footwear that date back to their childhoods. That's true for the NFL, where athletes across the league grew up idolizing sneaker icons like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Here, we poll a handful of NFL athletes about their sneaker backgrounds.
The number of people who label themselves sneakerheads grows every year. With that, it only makes sense that more and more professional athletes are tuned in to high-profile sneaker releases new and old. That's not to say the connections aren't genuine, though—plenty of pros have personal ties to certain pieces of footwear that date back to their childhoods. That's true for the NFL, where athletes across the league grew up idolizing sneaker icons like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Here, we poll a handful of NFL athletes about their sneaker backgrounds.
Victor Cruz - Free Agent
What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?
Nike Air Diamond Turf, Deion Sanders. At that time, everyone wanted to be like Deion. The shoe was so dope that you just wanted to have that shoe. I remember having dreams of that shoe in my closet, and in my shoe collection, but it wasn't there because my mother thought it was too expensive. You might not have the means to get ’em, so emotionally you’re like, “Damn, I wish I had those,” or “I wish I was able to get those,” whatever the case may be. All the little things that you thought were fly about the shoe, you just wanted to have and just wanted to rock the shoe. So there was a lot of emotions that went into it on a daily basis.
How has that influenced other sneakers you’ve bought since then?
It was mostly about the feeling that I got about the shoe, and how it made me feel when I saw how the energy from that shoe made me want it. I relate that feeling to when I saw the first sample of the Air Trainer Cruz. I was wondering how, and if, kids felt the same way, and I wanted the people and the consumer to feel that same feeling. That kinda was missing in sneakers today. That feeling of going to cop a pair of sneakers or having the thrill of the hunt for that shoe, or what it looks like. Seeing it for the first time and whatever your judgment was and your feeling when you first saw it, connecting that to actually going to hunt for the shoe, that’s the feeling that I remember the most. I want to try and embody that in my shoe and anything I attach my name to.
Any crazy sneaker-related experiences growing up?
I mean, this happened when I was in the league also. It was probably the craziest thing—well, two. One is when I was younger and I made my mom wait in line for me for six hours for a pair of sneakers. She wasn’t thrilled to have done that, but she knew how important the shoe was to me. It was for the Cool Grey Jordan 11s. Later on in life I needed the Gym Red Air Jordan 1s that only released in Europe. I had a friend that knew that there was one size 11 in Switzerland. He literally flew to Switzerland just to cop me that last size 11 of that Air Jordan. That was the craziest thing. I’ve only worn them a handful of times because I only got one pair, so I’m trying to keep them as fresh as possible.
Eric Ebron - Detroit Lions
What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?
Air Max 95 "Chili"—it was one of my favorites shoes growing up. My dad used to be the manager at a Foot Locker. He used to bring home countless amounts of shoes to us, because at the time we were young and obviously they were really cheap. So it got to the point where as I got older, if I didn’t have a new pair of shoes I was upset. That was my fetish—my happy place. So at the time growing up, when we were living with my mom, we couldn’t really afford it. I feel like it’s more personal because it motivated me to want that and to be able to afford that. So one thing I could always remember when I was going through the draft process, you know my financial advisor was like, “What do you like to spend your money on?”
First thing my mom (said), “Shoes.” I was like, “Yup. She’s got a point. That’s like probably where 95 percent of money will go to, is shoes, because that’s just like my fetish.” It’s what I’ve known my whole entire life.
How has that influenced other sneakers you’ve bought since then?
Now it’s just become like a huge fetish of mine. I just love shoes. Starting off from the Air Max 95, the 11s, and finding the shoes that I really wanted, now I feel like it’s pushed me into a realm where I feel like I have to keep up with the Joneses. Being able to get the “Don C” 2s or the “Supreme” 5s, or things that are hard to get—those “once in a lifetime” sneakers.
Ever pitch the idea of creating your cleat/shoe?
I think that’s everybody’s dream, to have their own shoe or own brand. But I’m ok not having my own shoe. It’s not a huge priority of mine. I’m not sure how many people would rock the “Ebrons.” It’s definitely been a thought. I mean everybody strives to be LeBron or have their own signature shoe, or Michael Jordan and having their signature shoe. That’s pretty much what you look for in an athlete is to basically have your brand and have something people want. I think it would be great to eventually do that. Obviously it would be a conflict of interest if it didn’t have a Swoosh on the side.
Dante Fowler Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars
What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?
Air Jordan 4 "Black/Cement." When I was a kid growing up, I remember there were was a lot of stuff. I was pretty big for my age at that time, and I could kinda fit into my dad’s shoes. I just liked his shoes and after that when we would go to the mall, I would pay more attention in the shoe store. Instead of my mom or my dad picking out my shoes I would tell them, “Let me pick them out myself.” That’s really how I got into it.
How has that influenced other sneakers you’ve bought since then?
I think it influenced it a lot. I feel like the “Bred” 4s is kinda what changed the game. When MJ came out with those, it was just a different style and different type of look. Red, black, and grey is my favorite color combination. So I think when I first laid eyes on those shoes, I fell in love with the color combination and the shoe. Since then, I always want to wear red, black, or grey. The Olympic 6s is my second-favorite shoe of all time. When I got drafted I was able to get shoes; I wasn’t really crushing it growing up to be honest, so I just went ham. I like fashion a lot, so I look into fashionable things and shop. I love Louis Vuitton sneakers. I’m starting to like what Balenciaga is doing with their sneakers as well.
How has this helped you in other aspects in life?
I’m signed with Adidas. I got my Yeezys. I got my Raf Simons. I got the original Shell Toes. Most of the time I wear Adidas [laughs] ‘cause I’m signed with them. A lot of rappers have been working with them. Once ASAP Rocky had the Adidas shoes with the wings on them, like when those came out, I felt like Adidas was starting to turn that corner. Now, like three or four years later, they’re almost about to surpass Nike. They’re coming out with good gear and good sneakers. They’re putting pressure on a lot of competition. Just to have an image that people look up to or want to follow and things like that. Me, I like to stay up and keep myself up and look really nice. It’s pretty cool, so maybe how unique in the way that I dress, maybe people like it and will want to dress like me.
Ever pitch the idea of creating your own cleat/shoe?
Yea, there’s been some talk about my taste and especially what I did at draft day with my gold Louis Vuitton shoes. I even think they tried to create an Adidas version off of that shoe. They’re bringing a lot of cool shoes and asking what my input and deal is on them. I tell them I like the style and fabrics that they’re using and stuff like that. For now, I’m just going to keep putting work on the field, producing, and doing all that stuff, maybe get some accolades, and get that talk get taken to the next level.
Dannell Ellerbe - Free Agent
What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?
Fila 96 [Grant Hill 2]. I had an older brother that was big into Jordans. So when I was younger I wanted the Grant Hills, ‘cause we really couldn’t afford the Jordans. I'm from North Carolina so when he was at Duke and they won, and then he went to the Pistons, he was balling. I felt like I could relate to his game. That was just my favorite player after that.
How has that influenced other sneakers you’ve bought since then?
It was definitely a starter shoe and basketball shoe. Just take care of those shoes and build my collection off of that. I’m not the type of guy to buy shoes just ‘cause they’re coming out or just ‘cause they got the hype. There’s certain shoes that I get them and people are like, “Man, what you doing to them?” The 15s, those are my favorite pairs of Js. I mean everybody don’t feel the 15s like that, but that was my first pair of Js so I love them. I probably got every color of them and like five pairs of the black ones.
Ever have any crazy sneaker-related experiences?
I never got to that point. I mean, I love shoes, but life came first. I never really had a crazy collection coming up. It was probably in high school when I got a pair of Jordans here and there. College, when I got all the pairs, was when I really started Jordans and stuff like that more consistently. Then went I got to the NFL, and I got my Nike contract, it was when it just took off. I really just got to get what I wanted and what I had wanted when I was younger like the [Gary Payton] Gloves, the Shaqs and everything like that, that were overlooked—like the Deions. Those types of shoes, I’m big on those.
Marcus Gilchrist - Houston Texans
What was that first sneaker that you felt connected to?
Air Jordan 13 “Playoff.” It was like the first thing I could get really. My aunt probably had like three or four pairs of Jordans growing up. Those were the ones that I just gravitated towards. Later on in life, the day I got drafted, those were what I wore. I actually had Mache, the sneaker designer that does the custom sneakers, do like a “Playoff 13” for me in my college colors. I haven’t seen them in a while. My mom actually has them. I guess it’s just emotional because it’s one of the first Js that I ever had growing up. I wore them with everything.
Ever pitch the idea of creating your own cleat/shoe?
Most definitely. I’ve done drawings. I always imagined, “What if I had my own shoe?” or “What would it look like?” Things like that. I could definitely see myself doing that, whether it be now or after football. But just design, period. Whether it sneakers, clothes, I’ve always had interest in that lane. I haven’t studied it. I think that’s just a dream that a lot of guys play ball have.
Ever have any crazy sneaker-related experiences?
Unfortunately, about two months ago, I was moving my stuff from New Jersey back to my house here in Florida. I had about 300 pairs of shoes, and the truck they were getting moved on, got caught on fire. [laughs] So I lost about 300 pairs of shoes man. Man I had, I don’t know if you’ve ever seen my YouTube video of all my LeBrons that I had, bunch of LeBron 7 PEs. Deion Sanders PEs. Kentucky PEs. Hardwood Classic PEs, all in blue and blue suede. DJ Clark Kent PEs, 7s and 8s. Tokyo 5s. Quai 54s, the black pair. Oregon 3s. Oregon 4s. “Miami Nights” LeBron 8s. A bunch of Nike Dunk SBs. Tiffany SBs. De La Soul SBs. Unkles. It’s so many, I can’t even remember.