Frank Crum, an offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos, is supporting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes with his My Cause My Cleats.
From Outsports’ review of the NFL’s published list of cleats-supported causes this season, Crum is the only player to choose the anti-LGBTQ FCA. Outsports could find zero pro-LGBTQ groups funded by the program.
To be sure, the list Outsports has reviewed is not all-inclusive. There may be others supporting the FCA, and there may be LGBTQ organizations supported of which Outsports is not aware.
Outsports’ request for comment from the Broncos and Crum was denied by the team.
Get off the sidelines and into the game
Our weekly newsletter is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.
Crum is a rookie offensive tackle from the University of Wyoming. He grew up in Laramie, Wyo., where gay college student Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998. He went undrafted in 2024 and has landed on the Broncos roster, where he has played in six games.
My Cause My Cleats is an annual effort by the NFL to allow players to raise money for nonprofits by having their game cleats specially designed. Players then wear these cleats during games toward the end of the season.
In the past, there have been numerous players who have supported the virulently anti-gay Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Last season, current Miami Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller raised money for the anti-gay FCA as his cause for his cleats. This season, he has no cleats beneficiary listed.
Two years ago, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom listed FCA as his beneficiary. This season, he’s chosen SavingHeartsFoundation, which seeks to protect youth from sudden cardiac arrest.
Trey Lance, the Dallas Cowboys QB who was with the San Francisco 49ers at the time, was the NFL’s 2021 posterboy for FCA.
Related
Denver Broncos coach explained how any NFL team could easily welcome a gay athlete
Sean Payton shared his thoughts on including a gay athlete on an NFL team, when he was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
By Cyd Zeigler | October 17, 2024
For their part, Crum’s team — the Denver Broncos — has previously sponsored the Gay Bowl, in addition to at least 10 different LGBTQ organizations with multi-year support. Previously, head coach Sean Payton explained how any NFL team could welcome an out gay player.
In addition, the NFL is partnering with Carl Nassib’s Rayze organization to create an additional fundraising option for players. Nassib came out publicly in 2001 as an out gay player with the Las Vegas Raiders.
With all of that said… the NFL’s program will donate funds to one of the most anti-LGBTQ organizations in all of sports. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes bars LGBTQ people from leadership, among other issues.
We look forward to the day when the FCA changes its awful anti-LGBTQ policies… or the NFL bans the organization from its fundraising efforts.
Subscribe to the Outsports newsletter to keep up with your favorite out athletes, inspiring LGBTQ sports stories, and more.
