University of North Carolina Athletics
Football Paints Shoes With Pediatric Cancer Patients For Coaches Versus Cancer Game
September 23, 2025 | Football, Student-Athlete Development
For the third consecutive year, the North Carolina football program welcomed pediatric cancer patients and their families to the Kenan Football Center for the annual Kicks for Kids event.
In partnership with the UNC Children's Hospital, Tar Heel players joined the patients to paint shoes for the Carolina football coaches to wear during the Coaches Versus Cancer Game against Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Each patient was paired with a player or group of players to create a unique design for each coach to don on the sideline. North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi spent time alongside the players, visiting with the patients and encouraging them as they painted the shoes.
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The game-worn shoes will be available for purchase through an auction link, which is set to go live later this week.
As a top-tier academic medical center, UNC Children's upholds a four-tiered mission to "CARE," aligning clinical care, advocacy, research, and education to deliver world-class family-centered care—always regardless of a family's ability to pay.
UNC Children's clinical home, N.C. Children's Hospital, is a major referral center for children with complex conditions and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals" on its annual list.
The hospital has 160 inpatient beds and a comprehensive children's outpatient center located in the same building, enabling children to see multiple specialists in a single visit.
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In partnership with the UNC Children's Hospital, Tar Heel players joined the patients to paint shoes for the Carolina football coaches to wear during the Coaches Versus Cancer Game against Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Each patient was paired with a player or group of players to create a unique design for each coach to don on the sideline. North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi spent time alongside the players, visiting with the patients and encouraging them as they painted the shoes.
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Excited to be joined by patients from @uncchildrens to get our coaches' kicks ready for our Coaches vs. Cancer game against Clemson!
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 22, 2025
Link to the auction coming soon! pic.twitter.com/Fnimnktz3u
The game-worn shoes will be available for purchase through an auction link, which is set to go live later this week.
As a top-tier academic medical center, UNC Children's upholds a four-tiered mission to "CARE," aligning clinical care, advocacy, research, and education to deliver world-class family-centered care—always regardless of a family's ability to pay.
UNC Children's clinical home, N.C. Children's Hospital, is a major referral center for children with complex conditions and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals" on its annual list.
The hospital has 160 inpatient beds and a comprehensive children's outpatient center located in the same building, enabling children to see multiple specialists in a single visit.
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