Deftones supports their roots in sponsoring hometown youth soccer team

One of Sacramento’s most beloved hometown bands, Deftones, has decided to reach out to their roots and give back to their childhood community by supporting a local youth soccer team. Through the sponsorship and merchandise collaboration, the band gives back to this hometown team, displaying pride and the importance of uplifting the needs of those in communities that would benefit the most from it. 

The band announced its collaboration this month through an Instagram post, featuring the new Deftones brand jerseys, soccer ball, and the youth team sporting them, along with a statement explaining their mission with this new creative project. 

“Designed by Deftones, this collection supports Los Jaguares–a youth squad from the same Sacramento neighborhood where the band got its start,” the caption read. 

They additionally state that every purchase of these jerseys and merch will help keep soccer free and accessible for the kids, as the merch will be available for purchase through the Goal Projects Instagram bio.

This youth soccer team, Los Jaguares, is made up of players ages 11-14 and based in Oak Park, which is recognized as one of Sacramento’s historically lower-income and underserved communities. The team was made aware of this sponsorship and collaboration through an invitation from the band to attend this year’s Aftershock Festival and meet the band backstage, where they were given their jerseys for their next soccer season. 

This collaboration was made possible through Goal Projects, which is the creative studio behind creating and distributing the merch, as well as the Common Goal organization. The collaboration also includes the Street Soccer nonprofit, specifically the Sacramento branch, which will work to make sure the proceeds go towards keeping the involvement free for players as well as expanded access to fields, coaching and year-round support from the organization. 

Lisa Wrightsman from Street Soccer USA spoke with Good Morning Sacramento about the partnership and what she believes the band’s mission of dedication is to the team and community. 

“They just want to give back to their hometown and encourage people to pursue their dreams against all odds as they have made their career when maybe they weren’t the most popular right away,” Wrightsman said. 

As a self-proclaimed hardcore Deftones fan herself, Wrightsman shares this underdog statement as a parallel to the community they’ve chosen to support and a story of empowerment to others. 

In supporting the future of this team, Deftones effectively supports a future of community and sports accessibility for their beloved hometown. If you are a proud Sacramento native or Deftones fan, the purchase of this collaboration is the perfect way to support both the necessity of sports in underprivileged areas and give back to the needs of your own community.