South Side artist creates colorful cleats for Steelers, other pro players
Matt Speck is an artist.
But you won’t find his work in a gallery. It will be walking or running around.
The South Side resident paints footwear, specifically cleats.
“I think athletes sometimes get dehumanized, so these cleats help them express themselves on the field,” Speck said. “It shows their creativity.”
Speck has been collaborating with professional athletes in Pittsburgh and beyond to design and personalize their shoes.
He has worked with players from the NFL and MLB. His work can be seen on Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates players, as well as other professionals from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills.
He connects through social media and with players on the street, which is how he met Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. Speck was on his way to work out at the South Side LA Fitness in late April. Freiermuth was doing interviews, asking random people questions about the team as part of a Steelers social media post.
“He showed me some of his designs, so I reached out to him and gave him free will to do what he wanted,” said Freiermuth, who ordered two pairs of cleats. “They are awesome. Obviously, he worked really hard on them. They are cool-looking cleats. The designs show my love for the City of Pittsburgh.”
There was a time when athletes were not allowed to wear custom-designed cleats in a game other than for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. The event, during the football season, lets players bring awareness to charities of their choosing by wearing pre-approved custom cleats during a game.
Last year for My Cause, My Cleats during Week 13, Steelers running back Najee Harris’ shoes were to raise awareness for homelessness through Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation, and Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward had shoes designed for two causes: community outreach and cancer. He raised awareness for The Heyward House and the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.
According to an NFL spokesperson, the current policy is that players can wear customized cleats in pregame all season. During the designated My Cause My Cleats initiative, they can wear those customized cleats the entire game.
Speck said he creates within league rules.
Pirates pitcher David Bednar said he noticed the cleats on teammates J.T. Brubaker, Wil Crowe and infielder Michael Chavis. He contacted Speck through social media and asked for a clean and simple design.
“He definitely came through,” Bednar said. “It is cool to have a little extra flair on the cleats. It adds a personal touch when you are out there. He did a great job.”
Speck said it is important to market yourself, which is why he told Freiermuth about the cleat designs.
“I told him I am an artist, and I design custom cleats,” Speck said. “We exchanged phone numbers, and I asked if he would be interested in me designing some cleats for him. You have to ask.”
Speck calls the chance meeting of him being in the right place at the right time.
The price is determined by the work involved.
Speck doesn’t only design shoes. He painted a mural at 31st and Penn Avenue in the Strip District, which is where former Steelers offensive tackle Derwin Gray, who plays for the Titans, noticed Speck’s artwork when he drove by and talked to him.
Speck said he collaborates by getting ideas from the players and then sending design options.
He said he’s been doing art since his childhood. He is self-taught, and he used it as a way to relax. He uses leather paint if the cleats are leather and mixes an adhesive agent with other paint so it stays.
Speck, a native of Huntingdon County, is a Pitt graduate who has family in Pittsburgh. His love of sports came from his grandfather, who took him to Steelers games.
He gets a kick out of attending games and seeing athletes with cleats he designed.
“I don’t take these opportunities for granted,” Speck said. “I really enjoy creating these cleats. It’s a different way to display art.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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