Brandon Marshall Picks Perfect Night to Showcase His Green Cleats

If you watched any of last week's NFL games, you probably noticed the numerous pink accessories players took with them to the football field in support of breast cancer awareness.

If you watched any of the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, you probably noticed the green shoes worn by Bears wideout Brandon Marshall.

Marshall, you see, is trying to raise awareness for Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Having been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), Marshall knows firsthand how mental health issues can affect oneself and one's family and friends.

You might remember that earlier in his career, Marshall was involved in a series of bizarre legal and domestic offenses that ranged from bedsheet theft to an altercation with his newly wedded wife.

However, this strange and dangerous behavior was put to an end after he was diagnosed with and received treatment for BPD. Now the 29-year-old receiver is hoping bring attention and help to those who have undergone the same struggles with mental illness.

Of course, Marshall didn't want to draw attention away from the important issue of breast cancer awareness—he just wished to bring a little attention to a cause that, personally, hits close to home.

"The diagnosis of breast cancer can hit families hard. It affects all of us," Marshall said, according to Owen Ziegler of NESN.com. "We’re still working on the details to give, really give back to an organization that is doing work in the mental health area."

Furthermore, he has agreed to match any league fine he is sure to incur for a uniform violation in the form of a donation to a mental health foundation, as Bernie Augustine of the New York Daily News reported.

Of course, bringing the issue into the spotlight was the ultimate goal, and Marshall couldn't have picked a better time to do so than during this nationally televised matchup between two of the NFL's marquee franchises. 

Brandon Marshall had an equally impressive performance, finishing with nine receptions for 87 yards and two big touchdowns in the Bears' 27-21 win at home.