Santa Cruz native Ashtyn Davis, 28, will be among the New York Jets wearing special cleats to raise awareness for different causes when the Jets (3-8) host the Seattle Seahawks (6-5) in the teams’ NFL game on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Davis, a fifth-year safety out of Cal, will have the likeness of late Santa Cruzan Desmond Randy Quilici on his multicolored Nike cleats, as well as “Voices for Awareness Facing Fentanyl.” Quilici died at the age of 25 on Feb. 19, 2022.

The Voices for Awareness Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Grand Junction, Colorado, promotes awareness about counterfeit drugs, illicit fentanyl, and self-harm.

Paul Quilici, Desmond’s father, said Davis called a few weeks ago to see if his family was OK with him honoring his former Santa Cruz High teammate on his cleats.

“I felt honored,” Paul Quilici said. “I coached him and he’s my son. It showed what kind of person he (Ashtyn) is. He just gives back to the community. He’s a class act. It hits home; it was heartfelt. I’m so proud of him.”

Players will have the opportunity to raise money for their cause by auctioning their cleats off at NFL Auction. Fans may bid on game-issued player cleats to help players raise funds for their chosen causes; 100% of money raised will be donated to the player’s charities.

It’s not the first time Davis has chosen drug addiction awareness for the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, which takes place during weeks Nos. 13 and 14.

In 2020, he wore cleats that brought attention to Phoenix House, a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization.

“I chose this cause, specifically, because my dad (Sean) battled drug addiction growing up, and, fortunately for me he was able to beat that,” said Davis, in an interview on the Jets’ YouTube channel. “And he’s clean now and that’s something that’s important to me and relevant in my life. … Anytime you have a platform and have a chance to spread awareness about any of these causes, it’s something that’s amazing and needs to take advantage of. Looking down and seeing one of the reasons you come to work every day, it reminds you of the long night, early mornings, stuff like that. A little extra motivation for Sunday.”

Davis, who missed multiple games after suffering a concussion against Pittsburgh on Oct. 20, has made 12 total tackles this season.