Bryce Harper, UA Harper 6
11.23.2021

One-of-a-Kind Cleats for a Two-Time MVP

Under Armour teams up with North Camden youth baseball players to surprise Bryce Harper with custom UA Harper 6 cleats

Last week, Under Armour, DICK’S Sporting Goods, and members of a youth baseball organization delivered a special surprise to Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies superstar who was recently named the 2021 National League MVP—the second MVP award of his storied career.

 

During his three seasons playing right field for the Phillies, the hardest-working player in baseball has been devoted to the greater Philadelphia area and its fans, including one youth baseball team in North Camden, N.J. 

 

Located in a Phillies’ stronghold just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the North Camden Pirates first caught Harper’s attention in 2019, when he learned that $15,000 worth of food and equipment had been stolen from the concession stand, putting the remainder of their season in jeopardy. 

 

To lift spirits, Harper met 12 of the team’s players at a local DICK’S Sporting Goods, where they were treated to a shopping spree courtesy of Under Armour and DICK’S Sporting Goods. The two companies also donated $10,000 to the North Camden youth baseball league. Harper gifted every player a pair of his signature cleats, then the UA Harper 4, and capped their day with tickets to a suite at Citizens Bank Park for that night’s Phillies’ game.

 

Now, to congratulate Harper on winning the 2021 National League MVP award, eight North Camden Pirates have reunited with Under Armour and DICK’S Sporting Goods to create a customized pair of UA Harper 6 cleats. These one-of-a-kind cleats celebrate Harper’s achievements, the Phillies, and Philadelphia’s sports culture.

 

“We really wanted to do something extra special for Bryce to show him we appreciate what he’s done for us,” says 12-year-old Ryan Skinner. “He’s such an amazing ballplayer and really deserved the MVP award.”

 

Harper, 29, won his second career MVP award in 2021 (he was previously the NL MVP in 2015). This season, he led the majors with a 1.044 OPS and a career-high 42 doubles. The UA Harper 6 cleat is built for its namesake’s style of intense play, with a stable, transparent upper and UA MicroTips for lightweight traction.

 

“With the Harper 6 we were thinking about everything that makes Bryce one of the greats—his hustle, his focus, his confidence. We wanted the cleat to give Bryce an edge, reflect his style, and make him an even better player.”

Spencer Hawkins, UA’s senior designer of cleated footwear

The custom UA Harper 6 cleats were presented to Harper at his home outside Las Vegas.

 

“This was a really sweet surprise and such a cool way to reconnect with the young North Camden athletes,” Harper says.

 

“This game can present both struggles and triumphs, which they are all too familiar with. I’ll think of them every time I wear these cleats—they’re a representation of their hard work. To be the kind of player these kids look up to really means the world to me. I mean it when I say that I play for them. The fact that they thought of me during this moment is truly special.”

 

UA gifted each North Camden youth player involved in the customization process a pair of UA Harper 6 cleats and UA Harper 6 turf shoes. Under Armour and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation also donated $5,000 apiece ($10k total) to the North Camden youth baseball league to cover uniforms, equipment, and other costs.

 

Both in his philanthropy and as a central part of his partnership with Under Armour, Harper has been an avid supporter of youth baseball across the U.S. His efforts have included working with young players at Miami’s BGC/MLB RBI program during FanFest in 2017, donating UA equipment at Washington Nationals Legacy Initiative events in 2018, and contributing $500K to COVID-19 relief organizations in Las Vegas and Philadelphia in 2020.

 

UA Harper 6

UA Harper 6

Photos and b-roll video of the customization process and surprise delivery are available in the content library (top right of page).