Basketball Takes a Backseat as Odell Beckham Jr. and Dominic “The Surgeon” Ciambrone Elevate On-Field Style with Custom Cleats
When it comes to the world of sports sneakers, basketball has always been at the forefront of the conversation. From iconic retro Air Jordans to cutting-edge signature shoes like the adidas AE1 and Nike Ja 1, the basketball sneaker game has always been ahead of the curve. However, on-field football footwear has often been overlooked, with the exception of a few standout moments like Deion Sanders’ Nike Diamond Turf series and the NFL’s ban on the adidas YEEZY 350 Cleats.
But now, thanks to the efforts of NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. and custom cleat designer Dominic “The Surgeon” Ciambrone, on-field style is taking center stage. From $200k diamond-covered warm-up cleats for the Super Bowl to a pair inspired by Virgil Abloh’s golden Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s, OBJ and The Surgeon are pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the football field.
We caught up with both OBJ and Ciambrone to discuss their partnership, the creative process behind each design, and what we can expect from them this season as OBJ makes his return to the field.
Creating Custom Cleats: A Partnership Between OBJ and The Surgeon
When asked about their collaboration, OBJ and The Surgeon both expressed their mutual admiration and passion for creating unique and eye-catching cleats.
“It’s been crazy, just being with someone who enjoys the cleats and everything as much as I do,” says OBJ. “Being able to create special pairs with Dom has been a blessing.”
The Surgeon adds, “I enjoy working with passionate people, especially in this case where it goes beyond the sport and reaches into design as well. It’s been a ride and I love working with Odell. Sure it can be stressful at times, but in a healthy way.”
The Creative Process Behind Each Design
So how do these two come up with their unique designs? According to OBJ, it’s a seamless process.
“It’s easy. I can come up with any idea – complete or not – and be like, ‘yo, you do your thing,’ and he’s always going to execute it,” he says. “Every single time he’s perfect, he doesn’t miss.”
The Surgeon explains that they often go back and forth, sending mood boards to each other before settling on a final design. “Both of us come up with ideas and then I show Odell a sketch before making a sample and then the final design,” he says.
An Ongoing Process of Adaptation
With the fast-paced nature of the sneaker and fashion industry, OBJ and The Surgeon are constantly evolving and adapting their designs.
“Every season’s different but the more we’ve done it, the more we try to get ahead,” says The Surgeon. “Now that he’s with Miami, we’ve already done some preparation and have a few pairs made. But with the nature of how things happen so rapidly within our space and the culture, we move quickly. At the same time, we have ideas that evolve or end up being cut. I just got a call from him today wanting to change a couple of pairs so it’s an ongoing process of adapting.”
The Surgeon: A Mastermind Behind the Wild Creations for OBJ
As for The Surgeon’s role in all of this, he humbly describes himself as the “mastermind” behind OBJ’s custom cleats.
“I’m just the guy behind the scenes making it happen,” he says. “I’m the one who’s actually putting the cleats together and making sure they’re functional for the field. I’m just trying to make sure that Odell looks good and feels good on the field.”
With the 2024-25 NFL season officially underway, we can’t wait to see what OBJ and The Surgeon have in store for us this year. Stay tuned for more jaw-dropping custom cleats from this dynamic duo.
