When Solomon Thomas had to decide who or what to represent on his personalized shoes for My Cause, My Cleats, it wasn't a difficult decision to make. The 49ers defensive end wanted to make sure his sister, Ella, was honored.
On Jan. 23, she took her own life.
"Mental health is overlooked and has to be talked about," Thomas told the 49ers' website during a promotional shoot for the campaign. "I want to help destigmatize depression."
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SIGN UP HERE Thomas' cleats, which he'll wear during Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, have colored beads attached to the bottom shoelaces. Each color represents a different relationship between an individual and someone who lost their lives to depression. Thomas wanted to showcase the different struggles people go through.
In addition to having the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention printed on his cleats, a sunflower also was placed on them. Those were Ella's favorite flowers.
The My Cause, My Cleats campaign is part of a collaboration between the NFL and players. The players will represent hundreds of charitable organizations that focus on a vast array of causes that will be represented on their customized cleats.
You can watch NBC Sports Bay Area's entire interview with Thomas in the video player above.