Our favorite fits and kicks at the third annual Sneaker Ball

The third annual Sneaker Ball made its return Thursday, drawing current and past Philadelphia Eagles players, restaurateurs, and local legends donning their best kicks and black-tie looks for the charitable event.

The star-studded gala was put on by former Eagles safety and Super Bowl LII champion Rodney McLeod and his wife, Erika, who founded the Philly-based youth development foundation Change Our Future. Guests arrived at Vie by Cescaphe in sequined cocktail dresses and luxurious gowns while sporting Jordans 1s and Air Maxes, while others wore Nike SBs and Air Force 1s with their double-breasted suit jackets and cropped trousers.

Here are some of our favorite fits and kicks of the night, direct from the red carpet.

Former Eagles safety and owner of Old City’s Damari suit shop, from Piscataway, N.J.

When you received your first big NFL paycheck, what sneaker(s) did you run to grab first?

I was never a sneakerhead really. I could never keep my shoes clean. I was like, ‘It’s no point.’ I never got deep into the shoe game. I felt like I went through one phase when I first got my Nike account, I was buying like every Jordan I could because my parents would never buy me Jordans. So, my entire first or second year in the league, I bought every Jordan I could. But then I realized that’s not my passion, I want to wear a suit.

Former NBA champion and All-Star power forward, from Philadelphia

Do you consider yourself a footwear icon for wearing high-top Air Force 1s in your playing days?

I don’t necessarily consider myself an icon. I was rocking Air Force 1s when I was young boul even before I started playing basketball, I just put another platform to it. It’s just a simple shoe, nothing too fancy about it. Everybody can rock them. But I love the high tops because it helped protect my ankle. I don’t know why we have seven-footers playing basketball today that want to wear low-top tennis shoes. They’re good shoes, but you got to protect your moneymakers.

All-Pro center for the Philadelphia Eagles, from Cleveland

People don’t think of you as a stylish athlete. What do you have to say to your naysayers?

I think I could be stylish if I put the effort in. I don’t put the effort in. Even now, I have sneakers tonight for the Sneaker Ball, but I would definitely prefer sandals.

Cofounder of Change Our Future, from Clinton, Md.

How does it feel to see you and Erika’s vision morph into an annual event?

Man, it feels great. We’ve been able to experience a lot from the beginning, starting in 2020 and up until now. We’ve grown our team, brought in our community partners and supporters, and that’s evident by the many people that are here in this room. It just feels great. Something that started off as a conversation has now turned into reality, and to see so many people support your vision and the things we represent, it’s incredible.

Former NBA center, from Mount Laurel

How difficult was it for you to find sneakers when you were young?

For me, it was tough because I didn’t really have much of a selection. When I got to the league, even though my size (18) isn’t very common, there are plenty of kids that are tall that have my size. I give back to them as much as I can.

A restaurateur who owns Northern Liberties’ Boricua Restaurant, from North Philly

What made you come out and support Change Our Future tonight?

The mission is very important — that’s No. 1. And No. 2, as a minority myself, I need to support our people. We need to support our own minorities and we have to support our friends, and this is an organization that supports the children.