CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — You’ll have to forgive the Griffins. Though they are big football fans, they’re always a bit distracted whenever there is a Panthers game on TV.
“The whole time (we’re looking) on the sideline, I’m like, ‘There is one, there is one, there is one,” Emily Griffin said.
There have been a lot of those moments recently. With the NFL in the midst of its two-week “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, the Griffins have seen their work displayed all over the county, but it has not been easy.
“We nap in shifts,” explained Emily, describing the work schedule she shares with her husband and business co-owner, Michael.
The fun got started in October. That’s when the first call came into “The Shoedio,” their custom shoe business in Charlotte they opened just last year.
“We did a couple here or there,” self-taught sneaker artist, Michael said.
But then came the call. Actually, it was the call.
It was from the Panthers and they wanted shoes for all of their coaches.
And they wanted them fast.
“We did 29 pairs in 24 hours which in our industry, from talking to other artists, is something that has never been done in that quick of a turnaround, for that large of an order,” Michael said.
In the end, the Griffins just couldn’t say no. This was a time for their art to go on display, all while bringing awareness to causes important to Carolina players like Trevin Wallace (Hopeway Foundation), Miles Sanders (Sanders Dream Foundation), and JJ Jansen (West Boulevard Ministries).
“Being able to outreach and bring acknowledgment to a bunch of different awareness, just through our art and with the NFL giving us their platform to do is incredible,” Michael said.
Like the Mona Lisa, it’s a sight to behold.
“We sat there and lined them all up next to our Christmas tree,” Emily said. “It was like wow!”
Something worth a second look, even with a big game going on.