Panthers’ Frankie Luvu wears special cleats to honor late brother

CHARLOTTE — Frankie Luvu wore a special pair of cleats Sunday as the Carolina Panthers took on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the league-wide initiative called “My Cause, My Cleats,” players around the NFL brought awareness to different causes. Luvu decided to bring attention to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Last year, Luvu’s oldest brother died by suicide. Luvu wore cleats to honor his late brother.

Luvu told Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown bringing awareness has become a personal mission.

“It’s a conversation we need to bring up and it’s real,” Luvu said. “Guys, men in general, don’t want to talk about their feelings or feel like they’re weak when they do, or open up to somebody, I’ll say, ‘Man, if you’ve got something going on, just keep holding on to the rope.’

“We talk about on defense holding on to the rope, I feel like you can resonate that in life.”

Luvu also sponsored a VIP experience for Sunday’s game to raise awareness and support for the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention.

So far, it has raised more than $9,000.

(WATCH BELOW: Mayor: Rock Hill will take ownership of failed Panthers practice facility)

Mayor: Rock Hill will take ownership of failed Panthers practice facility

©2022 Cox Media Group