Blake Griffin auctioning special shoes for Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Since joining the Jordan Brand in the fall of 2013, Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin has looked to inject his personality into sneakers, ad campaigns and charitable projects.
He’s participated in a Google Hangout live chat with a few bloggers about his latest shoe and recreated iconic scenes with Mars Blackmon and Space Jam characters in major global TV campaigns.
His latest project, launched on BlakeKicksCancer.com, might be his most impactful. Griffin has partnered with Jordan Brand and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to create a special-edition sneaker that benefits the non-profit hospital and raises awareness for its programs and services. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles helps provide care for more than 100,000 patients annually, including 11-year-old Justice Griffith, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year.
With Griffin’s Jordan Super.Fly 5 sneaker serving as the foundation, Griffin teamed with Justice to design a special red and black colorway of the power forward’s size-16 game shoes. The sneaker is dubbed the “Just 5,” highlighting Justice and his dad’s shared interest in numerology. Five is said to showcase “power of the human will” and has helped power Justice through chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant.
“They were awesome,” Griffin said of the finished product. “I was completely blown away by Justice’s vision for the shoe and how exact he wanted it. He knew everything he wanted and knocked it out. It was really cool to see his creativity come to life.”
As the Clippers’ season winds down, the game-worn shoes are available for auction at the NBA’s official charity website. Griffin posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists while wearing the shoes in a 133-124 win over the Washington Wizards on March 29. The auction ends April 13 and all proceeds go to the hospital.
Griffin’s involvement in the project is an extension of the hospital’s bigger overall campaign, “Make March Matter,” which the Clippers’ organization has been working to support all month. The Clippers are matching the winning bid for the “Just 5” up to $25,000 as part of the campaign’s total goal of raising $1 million in March.
“This is an amazing cause and I’m excited to be involved,” Griffin said. “I am lucky for the opportunity to get to know Justice and it was a lot of fun to work with him. … I can’t wait to help raise money to benefit CHLA patients like Justice who need help.”
