Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker to represent Colorado Springs ‘Palmer Land Conservancy’ on Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- On Sunday, you can catch Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert going against the Baltimore Ravens while supporting a Southern Colorado non-profit.

It's all part of the National Football League's 'My Cause My Cleats' initiative, where NFL players call attention to a charitable cause of their choosing.

It all started with a message on social media. The Pro Bowler Joe Schobert reached out to the Palmer Land Conservancy's director, Ed Roberson, after following his podcast on land conservation--- now the All-Pro linebacker wants to help.

"There's so many different issues that are important to the players and I think owners and the NFL is starting to understand that and allowing us to use our platforms to bring light and eyes to these issues and for me conservation is huge," said Schobert.

Now in his third year supporting the initiative, he says he chose to support The Palmer Land Conservancy for their dedication to protecting, parks and open spaces across the Pikes Peak region, and because he's a fan of their work.

“It is going to be important for the next years around and with the way things are going these days, trying to reverse climate change and protect the natural resources and why we have them is big," added Schobert.

For The Palmer Land Conservancy, this means they can continue to protect the land due to the generous donation from the All-Pro linebacker.

"It's a great honor, the financial part of it is huge, as a non-profit every dollar counts and joe is matching the winning bid so there is a chance for 20-thousand dollars, but more importantly I think is having a public figure like joe vouching for an organization like ours on the national stage," said Ed Roberson, Director of the Palmer Land Conservancy.

Since 1977, the Palmer Land Conservancy has protected 136,000 acres of land, including 20 public parks and open spaces, working farms, and ranches that provide local food, panoramas, and scenic corridors in the region.

After the game, viewers can bid on the cleats with proceeds going to the palmer conservancy. Joe is matching the winning bid up to $10,000 to the non-profit.

Joe's cleats will be listed here during game time on Sunday, December 5 at 2:25 p.m. MST.