If you’re like us, you noticed the hot pink gloves, wristbands and cleats that several NFL players were wearing this past weekend.
And if you’re also like us, it made you think your TV was broken.
Thankfully, our TVs weren’t broken. The pink equipment, worn by everyone from players to coaches and officials, is part of the NFL’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign.
Players will be wearing the gear throughout the month of October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to promote preventative checkups for women.
At the end of the month, the NFL will auction off all of the pink gear and donate the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.
We think it’s an absolutely wonderful idea, especially considering how far-reaching the disease is. According to the ACS, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death among women — behind lung cancer — striking almost 200,000 people every year.
While it primarily affects women, it has certainly had its impact on players in the NFL.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald lost his mother to breast cancer in 2003. Along with his father, Fitzgerald helps sponsor the Carol Fitgerald Memorial Fund in his mother’s memory.
Fitzgerald’s story even inspired teammate Darnell Dockett to wear pink this month.
Several players around the league are getting very involved with the cause.
Cincinnati’s Chad Ochocinco, never to be outdone, is taking it to a whole other level. The Bengals receiver has said doesn’t plan to stop wearing his pink mouth guard, shoes, wrist bands, gloves and chin strap at the end of the month.
He’ll wear it all season.
Whatever the NFL fines him for being “out of uniform,” Ochocinco said he’ll match it with a donation to the ACS.
Related: Take a look at our own football gear.
