Marvin Harrison Jr. will soon make history by stepping onto the football field wearing the first-ever cleats designed by New Balance. This landmark debut comes following his deal with New Balance earlier this offseason, marking a significant milestone for the brand known primarily for its running shoes and athletic wear.
Harrison's cleats, named the Prodigy, reflect New Balance's foray into football footwear, a project they embarked on in 2020. The Prodigy cleats, which will likely be seen during Harrison's performance, are designed as low-tops and feature a striking gold and white color scheme, tailored specifically for skill players who depend on agility and speed.
New Balance's ambitious goal was to create the best-fitting, most comfortable cleat in the game. As the company shared on their website, "Our first conversations about stepping onto the gridiron kicked off in 2020. The goal—making the best-fitting, most comfortable cleat in the game—was simple. Getting there was not." This path to achieving excellence involved an extensive, intelligent approach to product creation, merging the brand's history of craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation.
Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr. played pivotal roles in the development of the Prodigy. These elite athletes rigorously wear-tested prototype designs in New Balance's Sports Research Lab. "We focused on an intelligent approach to product creation that combined our history of best-in-class craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. The prototype designs were wear-tested in our Sports Research Lab by players at every level, including Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr. These insights proved vital throughout the process," the company explained.
Adding to its football cleat line, New Balance introduced another variant known as the Fortress. Unlike the Prodigy's low-top design, the Fortress cleat is a high-top, black and gold creation meant to offer enhanced support and durability. These two models together signify New Balance's commitment to setting a new standard in football footwear. "The game deserves better. We won't settle for anything less than setting a new standard," stated the brand, underscoring its dedication to innovation in this new arena.
As Harrison Jr. prepares to don these revolutionary cleats, the anticipation in the football community is palpable. Kyler Murray, the Cardinals quarterback, expressed his excitement about Harrison's potential impact on the field. In discussing Harrison's abilities, Murray noted, "I think that takes us to another level. When you got a guy out there that is capable of winning one-on-ones, obviously he's got to go do it and he knows that. We all know it, but as far as manipulating coverage and stuff like that, you got a guy out there that can do that and even if he's not open, he's open. I'm excited to be able to build that with him, but when he does what he does, yeah, I fully expect our offense to be top of the league."
Harrison's debut in New Balance's football cleats signifies more than just a new partnership; it marks a potentially groundbreaking advancement in the design and functionality of football gear. With Harrison leading the way, and the collective insights from players like Young and Anderson Jr., New Balance is poised to make a considerable impact on the gridiron.
This new chapter for New Balance represents the convergence of elite performance and innovative design. As the Prodigy and Fortress cleats make their way onto fields across the country, fans and players alike will witness the evolution of football footwear, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of fit, comfort, and support.