The Utah Jazz took on the Lakers on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, and while games against the Lakers late in the season aren’t as big a deal as one expected at the start of the season, Wednesday was a special night in Utah.
That’s because the Jazz were celebrating Autism Awareness Night, and many of their players donned custom sneakers for the occasion. Autism awareness is something that hits especially close to home for the Jazz, as Joe Ingles and his wife, Renae, learned this year that their two-year-old son, Jacob, was autistic.
Ingles wore a special pair of Kobe A.D.’s from Kickstradomis with the puzzle piece logo associated with autism awareness, and many of his teammates joined suit with custom sneakers, many of which feature Jacob’s name on them.
💙 @Joeingles7 warming up in the @Kickstradomis customs for #AutismAwareness night 💙@NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/bQhBAzT03m
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 28, 2019
💙👟💙 pic.twitter.com/ZoMEMzEuPZ
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 28, 2019
It’s very cool of Ingles’ teammates to offer their support in this way and to help raise awareness for a condition that affects so many. The Jazz also sold autism awareness logo tees, with a portion of produces going to charity, so fans could participate as well.
Tonight’s Steal of the Game: $20 Autism Awareness Tee. Grab yours at the Jazz Team Store or on the @utahjazz App! pic.twitter.com/w4Hhnyq7iC
— Utah Jazz Team Store (@jazzteamstore) March 28, 2019
Since learning of his son’s diagnosis, Ingles has been active in promoting awareness and encouraging parents to get their children tested so they can begin to get help and the therapy that can assist them with development.
📹| "If families are … reading our story and seeing that their son or daughter is similar to what Jacob was doing growing up … to get them checked out."#AutismAwareness | @JazzDoingGood
Full interview: https://t.co/7yop2BfDIO pic.twitter.com/bXtjM3FeuF— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2019