Custom cleats spotlight the university’s Physician Assistant Studies program as NFL players showcase causes close to their hearts.
When Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Brock Hoffman takes the field for warm-ups before Sunday’s game against the Eagles, his cleats will carry a message far bigger than football.
As part of the NFL’s annual “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, Hoffman has chosen to honor his wife, Abbey Montoya, and the Physician Assistant Studies program at UNT Health in Fort Worth. The NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative allows players to reveal their passions beyond the game by wearing custom-designed cleats that represent a cause or organization close to their hearts. For Hoffman, this year’s choice was personal.
“My wife works incredibly hard in PA school, and I get to see what she and her classmates go through every day,” Hoffman said. “Seeing her dedication has given me a deeper appreciation for the medical field and for the people who devote their lives to helping others.” Montoya, a Colorado native and former collegiate softball player, is in her first year of UNT Health’s PA program. She and Hoffman met during their undergraduate years at Coastal Carolina University, where both were student-athletes. After Hoffman transferred to Virginia Tech, the couple reconnected during a school break — and the rest, as Montoya put it, “is history.”
When Hoffman joined the Cowboys, the pair relocated to North Texas. “We came to Fort Worth because Brock was here,” Montoya said. “I always knew I wanted to go to PA school, and once Brock had some stability in the NFL, I started applying to programs in Texas. When I got into UNT Health, it was an easy decision — it was the perfect fit for both of us.”
Balancing an NFL schedule and the rigors of a graduate medical program hasn’t been easy, but the couple has found ways to make it work. “Our schedules are kind of opposite,” Hoffman said. “But we make time for each other — Friday date nights are our thing. We just try to be intentional with the time we get.”
Montoya said she’s touched that Hoffman chose to spotlight the program and its students through his cleats. “It’s really special,” she said. “Most people in the NFL world don’t get to see the inner workings of health care — the long hours, the studying, the commitment it takes. It means a lot that he’s shining a light on that side of things.”
This marks Hoffman’s third year participating in “My Cause My Cleats.” In 2023, he supported the American Brain Tumor Association in honor of his mother, who was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. The following year, he wore custom-designed cleats promoting the Derrick James Family Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth in the Dallas area.
This year, Hoffman’s custom cleats will feature the UNT Health logo and design elements representing the PA program’s mission of preparing compassionate, skilled health care providers. He plans to wear the cleats during pre-game warm-ups and participate in the NFL’s nationwide charity auction, where proceeds from “My Cause My Cleats” are donated to each player’s chosen organization.
“UNT Health’s PA program represents exactly what this initiative is about — people who dedicate themselves to helping others,” Hoffman said. “It’s about recognizing the hard work that goes into making a difference.”
PA Lauren Dobbs, chair of UNT Health’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies, said the department was honored to be chosen as Hoffman’s cause.
“We are incredibly proud of Abbey and grateful to Brock for using his platform to highlight the impact of physician assistants,” Dobbs said. “Our students train to make a real difference in their communities, and seeing that commitment recognized on a national stage is both humbling and inspiring.”
For Montoya, the gesture reflects both their personal journey and shared purpose. “We’ve always talked about living out our dreams — him playing football and me becoming a PA,” she said. “Now we’re both doing what we love and supporting each other along the way.”
As Hoffman’s cleats hit the turf under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium, they’ll carry not only his team colors but also the story of two people chasing big dreams — one on the field and one in the classroom — united by purpose and compassion.
