Full Breakdown
Under Armour Crafts Custom Cleats for 11-Year-Old Baltimore Youth Player
6/28/2026, 5:05:50 AM
Game-Day Surprise: Custom Cleats Presented to Declan
During a pre-game ceremony at a Baltimore Orioles home game on Saturday, shortstop Gunnar Henderson presented 11-year-old Declan with a pair of custom Under Armour Yard Icon cleats. The shoes mirror Henderson’s City Connect game cleat, creating a direct visual link between the major-league player and the youth athlete. The presentation took place before the Orioles' scheduled game and was recorded for the team's community outreach program.
Background: Leg-Length Discrepancy and Prior Footwear Costs
Declan lives with a rare leg-length discrepancy that requires a built-in platform to maintain balance while playing. His family previously spent “hundreds of dollars per pair” on off-the-shelf cleats that had to be shipped out of state, a recurring expense that limited his ability to compete consistently.
Design Collaboration: From Observation to Prototype
Under Armour senior vice president of design, innovation and development Kyle Blakely first noticed Declan’s improvised platform at a youth tournament. He connected with Declan’s family and, together with Mark Auger, Under Armour’s director of footwear development and engineering, and the YMUS Development Center team, initiated a custom-design project. The team produced prototypes incorporating a built-in platform to equalize leg length. Declan participated in multiple fittings, providing feedback that guided iterative adjustments. Final wear-testing confirmed the cleats enabled him to run and field balls without the previous imbalance.
Impact: Enabling Equal Play and Personal Significance
The collaboration demonstrates how a major sports brand can address individual physical challenges through tailored equipment. By delivering a functional, aesthetically aligned cleat, Under Armour and the Orioles helped level the playing field for Declan. Declan described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment, noting that the custom platform allowed him to run without the earlier imbalance and that the cleats matched his favorite player’s design. The matching design also serves as a visible reminder that professional athletes can support grassroots sports development.
Official Statements & Responses
The Orioles issued a statement confirming that Blakely partnered with Auger and the YMUS Development Center to design and build the custom cleat. The release highlighted Declan’s involvement in fittings, prototypes, and wear-testing and emphasized that the shoes were intended to help him perform at his best.
Future Outlook: Potential Expansion of Custom Solutions
Under Armour’s video “Making ALL Athletes Better: Declan’s Cleats,” hosted on YouTube, showcases the design process and Declan’s reaction, reinforcing Under Armour’s commitment to inclusive athletic gear. While no further initiatives have been announced, the successful collaboration sets a precedent for future bespoke equipment programs.
