Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield honors a U.S. service member killed in an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan last month with cleat dedication.
On Aug. 26, the Cleveland area lost one of their own in a devastating Kabul attack that took the lives of 13 U.S. service members — and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is remembering the fallen soldier today on their home turf.
Mayfield honored 22-year old Berlin Heights native Maxton Soviak on his Week 2 footwear, which feature a photo of Soviak along with a heartfelt dedication.
“Rest In Peace, Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak,” reads one cleat, while the other features Soviak in his Navy dress blues.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield honors fallen U.S. service member with Week 2 cleats
This past week, funeral services were held to honor Soviak, with part of the services being held at Soviak’s high school football stadium in Milan, Ohio.
In Instagram posts, Soviak shared photos cherishing the love of his family. In a recent dedication by his brother Griffin, Soviak is smiling as he wears a Cleveland Browns beanie.
The Petty Officer 3rd class has been posthumously awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice supporting the complicated U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Soviak was killed on Aug. 26 in an attack at the Kabul airport that killed 13 Americans and 95 Afghans. The U.S. withdrawal officially ended four days after the attack on Aug. 30, 2021.
Mayfield has long been a prominent supporter of the U.S. military, dedicating a special moment to service members during an Aug. 14 practice in training camp this year.
“Thank you for everything you’ve sacrificed and continue to sacrifice,” Mayfield said to a crowd of smiling service members. “If there’s any veterans here, thank you as well. I wanted to say thank you on behalf of the Cleveland Browns, thank you for allowing us to be able to play this game that we love. We appreciate you guys more than you know.”