COLUMBUS, OH – December 4, 2019 – Cincinnati Bengal and former All-American while at The Ohio State University Billy Price debuted one very special pair of cleats today ahead of a Week 14 match-up against the Cleveland Browns. Price’s custom cleats featured non-profit organization Pelotonia and the Pelotonia community’s innovative cancer research efforts as part of the NFL program My Cause My Cleats, where NFL players lace up for charitable causes near and dear to their hearts.

Choosing to honor Pelotonia was a no-brainer for Price due to his special relationship with two-time cancer survivor, eight-time Pelotonia rider, and Central Ohioan Shannon Rece. The two met while Price interned with Shannon at L Brands. Price was moved by Rece’s multiple battles with cancer and deep dedication to advancing life-saving cancer research funded by Pelotonia and conducted at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Price surprised Rece in late November, sharing that he’d be honoring her story and Pelotonia with his custom cleats that he’ll wear in the spotlight during a Week 14 matchup between the Bengals and the Browns in Cleveland.

 “Once you meet Shannon, it’s impossible not to be moved by her determination, the persistence she has shown in fighting cancer and the commitment she has to Pelotonia,” said Price. “It’s an honor to not only celebrate her, but the life-changing research Pelotonia is funding and the passion of their community.”

The Ohio football support for Pelotonia doesn’t end with Price. The cleats were created by former Buckeye walk-on Kato Mitchell, who runs a business creating custom sports gear for athletes including former Buckeyes Raekwon McMillan, Gareon Conley, and Parris Campbell. Dan Schneider, a cancer survivor, designed the cleats with input from Rece and Price. Price revealed the custom Pelotonia cleats during an unboxing at Bengals practice on Wednesday, December 4. Price’s cleats are part of the NFL’s league-wide unveiling of player’s custom cleats on or around Giving Tuesday. Players will share images of their cleats and the stories behind them using the hashtag #mycausemycleats.

“I am truly humbled that Billy chose to honor my cancer journey and deep passion for Pelotonia through the My Cause My Cleats campaign this year,” said Rece. “Not only is he paying tribute to a cause I love so much, but he is bringing awareness to the amazing work that is being done throughout the Pelotonia community. Billy is one in a million and I am incredibly blessed to call him my friend.”

Pelotonia is a non-profit organization bringing people together to accelerate funding for life-saving cancer research. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a three-day experience of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism. One hundred percent of every dollar raised by its participants goes to cancer research at OSUCCC – James, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, created earlier this year.

To learn more about Price and Rece’s joint fight against cancer, tune in to ONE GOAL, Pelotonia’s podcast, where Rece shares her cancer journey on the episode A Better Weapon. Rece reflects on how some of the worst news possible propelled her to Pelotonia and helped her raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer.

 

For more information on Pelotonia, please visit pelotonia.org. To read more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact or pelotonia.org/institute.

Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund innovative cancer research. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism. Since its founding, Pelotonia has raised over $207 million for cancer research. Thanks to its generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Huntington Bank, L Brands Foundation, Peggy and Richard Santulli, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill Capital Management and Nationwide – Pelotonia is able to direct 100 percent of every dollar raised by its participants to cancer research at the OSUCCC-James and the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. For more information, visit pelotonia.org or tune in to our podcast ONE GOAL.