https://triblive.com/sports/remembering-his-pitt-roots-jared-wayne-chooses-orange-arrow-in-the-nfls-my-cause-my-cleats-campaign/
Remembering his Pitt roots, Jared Wayne chooses Orange Arrow in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign
Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne left Pitt after the 2022 season with 146 receptions for 2,038 yards and 13 touchdowns.
But he also carried something else that will last with him far beyond his playing days and mean more than mere numbers: a sense of accomplishment off the field.
During his four years at Pitt (2019-22), Wayne was an intern at Orange Arrow, a youth-mentoring organization founded and run by Shawn Robinson, a former defensive back for the Panthers.
Orange Arrow’s mission is to help student-athletes develop life and leadership skills and become successful away from the field of play. Orange Arrow trains and supports college student-athletes who, in turn, coach grade school youngsters.
Wayne carried his involvement forward when he named Orange Arrow as his cause in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative created to raise awareness for various charitable and mentoring groups across the U.S. During the Texans’ 23-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 1, Wayne wore cleats emblazoned with the Orange Arrow logo.
Submitted by Shawn Robinson Former Pitt wide receiver Jared Wayne displays his Orange Arrow cleats he wore as a member of the Houston Texans in a game Dec. 1, 2024.He was among several NFL players who participated, including Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and former Pitt players Jordan Addison, Rashad Weaver and Brian O’Neill. Previously, former Pitt and NFL cornerback Ryan Lewis chose Orange Arrow as his cause.
For Wayne, an engaging Canadian native who is the first from his hometown of Peterborough, Ontario, to play in the NFL, mentoring young people came easy during his time at Pitt.
“Showing up, hanging out with them and teaching them important life skills,” he said. “That was what really had an impact on me and drove me to wear an Orange Arrow wrist band my senior year in college as a reminder to myself that this is a lot bigger than me. This has a lasting impact on the kids and people who look up to me. My experiences with Orange Arrow were so impactful, not only on myself but what they’re doing in the community, as well.”
AP Houston Texans wide receiver Jared Wayne (89) and linebacker Tarique Barnes (49) was to practice during a NFL football training camp at Methodist Training Center, Thursday, July 18, 2024, Houston.One of the moments that stayed with him was watching the youngsters develop social skills. As an example, he played a game with them in which a ball was passed around and only the person holding it was permitted to talk.
“The ball would act as the microphone,” he said. “Whoever had the ball was the only person allowed to talk. It shows respect and how to listen. Just important life skills like that, which go a long way and, unfortunately, sometimes whether you’re a kid or a grown adult, people forget those things.
“You can definitely tell that some kids weren’t exactly comfortable with speaking in front of a group of people and people they don’t really know. It definitely helped some kids come out of their shells a little bit. It was also a very welcoming setting. There was no pressure on the kids to be somebody they’re not. It was really cool to be a part of that.”
Robinson saw first-hand how Wayne mixed well with young people.
“The kids he worked with truly looked up to him,” he said, “not just for his skills on the field, but for the way he carried himself as a mentor and role model.”
Wayne is in his second season with the playoff-bound Texans. In Houston, he has visited hospitals and joined teammates in handing out turkeys at Thanksgiving. He also has made an impact back home in Peterborough where young people know his story.
“Having a bunch of kids reach out to me and tell me they’re inspired that I’m doing something special, it’s a really cool feeling. I’m truly blessed for that,” he said. “That’s where this dream of mine, playing in the NFL, first started when I was a kid. Helping these kids realize these big dreams are possible and inspiring them means so much.”
Chaz Palla | TribLive Pitt’s Jared Wayne avoids Tennessee’s Warren Burrell in the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium.Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)