Nike Makes A "Raise 7 for Matthew" Trainer

Not many people in the world have a Nike shoe designed just for them. But Highland High School's (WA) Matthew Newman, 17, has bragging rights and he's not afraid to use them. But the real question is, should he actually wear them or just keep them on his shelf?...after all there were only eight pairs made.

Dirk Knudsen Creates a Web of Support

The man responsible for this generous act, Dirk Knudsen, editor of WashingtonPreps.com, heard about Matthew's head injury shortly after it happened in Sept. 2009.  Injured during a high school football game, Matthew required brain surgery that left him hospitalized until New Year's Day. Something about Matthew's story spurred Dirk into action, resulting in the amazing  Raise 7 For Matthew campaign that reached several continents. As if that wasn't enough, then came the shoes.

Dirk...in his own words

"Matthew was honored in a way most kids would only dream of.  Nike, through an affiliation with their Football Division and Matt James made Matthew his own shoe.  This is a custom Trainer 1.  Top to bottom the shoe pays tribute to the "Raise 7 for Matthew" campaign and Matthew himself.  The inside has a custom Matthew Newman cushion with an image of him throwing the ball.  The liner is a Scottish plaid for his school mascot as well as the Scottish logo stitched onto the tongue.  The "Raise 7" silhouette that my 10-yr.-old Kole gave to Matthew to start this whole movement is on the back and inside of the shoe.  On the back of the sole are the words "Raise 7". 

There were only 8 pairs made.  Matthew has four and the other four are being kept by the designers, Aaron Cooper and Brian Mitchell, who are Kobe Bryant's and LeBron James' design team.  For Matthew to be honored in this way is amazing and we cannot thank Nike enough.  Matthew said tearfully, "This is absolutely the coolest thing I have ever seen..."

7 Months and Counting

It's safe to say Dirk has brought Matthew a lot of joy these past few months.  As he works to recover, and if he actually does wear a pair, Matthew only needs to look down at his feet to be reminded of just how many people are pulling for him.

Dirk Knudsen can be reached at  dirkknudsen@gmail.com