National League MVP and World Series hero Kris Bryant shined a light on spinal cord research by having three Chicago street artists design three pairs of Adidas Energy Boost Icon 3 baseball cleats for him. Kris wore those on “Players Weekend,” a Major League Baseball holiday celebrated August 25- 27.
Bryant wore one pair each day against the Philadelphia Phillies over the three-day weekend. Each pair also celebrated one of the three cities that have given Kris wings – Las Vegas, San Diego and Chicago. Now they are up for auction to raise money for Wings for Life and spinal cord research.
Read the full story on Kris Bryant's cleats here: www.wingsforlife.com/kbcleats
In the second game of the series, Bryant unveiled his “Game 2” San Diego cleats - designed by street artist JC Rivera - in honor of Bryant’s University of San Diego days when he became a nationally known name in the world of baseball. Bryant had a monster game in these cleats, going 2 for 3, with a homerun, three runs scored, an RBI and walk. The Cubs walloped the Phillies 17-2.
JC Rivera knew of Bryant already as a great baseball player and someone good for the Cubs and the community. He had customized gear before, but not for an athlete. “It’s exciting to know that Kris Bryant is going to wear them,” said Rivera. I wanted to incorporate my bears and make it look like it was part of it. Representing Chicago and adding the touch about San Diego, which is where Kris went to college, is what inspired me in creating these.”
Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and now calls Chicago home. He was always drawing and painting as far as back as he can remember, and knew this is what he wanted to do when at the age of 13 year he sold a drawing to a friend for two dollars. "It felt good," he said. In his spare time, he enjoys watching boxing and riding his bike, and is a diehard fan of all Chicago teams.
The Wings for Life Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit that is dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI). This organization is generously supported by Red Bull who underwrites all of the charity's expenses so that 100% of the donations go directly to support cutting-edge medical research projects. Find out more about the charity here: www.wingsforlife.com.