Growing up with a speech impediment, Dylan Laube found comfort in isolation.
It's a complete contrast to the persona he's showcased since being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. The running back has put himself out there with his dance moves, his impeccable Maxx Crosby impersonation and the fiery spirit he brings on special teams.
But two things can be true.
While Laube said he's always felt comfortable in his skin, it still didn't shield him from feeling like an outsider due to a stutter.
"I always felt alone with it," Laube said. "My parents, my family always helped me out, but I kind of went through the process alone.
"I've had fears in college, high school, in grade school, even now when I have to stand up in front of the team and talk to a bunch of people. It's tough."
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 1 in 14 U.S. children ages 3-17 has had a disorder related to voice, speech or language. Additionally, more than 3 million Americans stutter.
Laube didn't realize how many resources were out there for people with speech impediments until he was about to enter the NFL Draft. While participating in the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, the annual showcase partnered with Athletes for Hope, an organization designed to connect athletes with other charitable causes and nonprofits.
Through Athletes for Hope, Laube was drawn to the organization Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. Their mission is provide resources and support for people with stutters and put them en route to be successful in academic and corporate settings.
Friends has given the running back a platform to tell his story. He's been involved with speaking at several workshops with the organization and attended their annual convention last year.
He was shocked to run into children at the convention rocking his Raiders jersey.
"For all those kids like me that felt alone and felt like they didn't have a shot to anything and scared to pursue their dreams, I want to be that haven or that person to be like, 'Hey, I followed my dream with the stutter and pursued my goals and did everything I can and now I'm here.'"
He continues to advocate and spread awareness for Friends, including making the nonprofit his cause for NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative. His custom cleats – with the logo on the inside painted over a gradient color scheme of purple, teal and orange – will be used to raise funds for the organization.
"I contacted them, the organization, and told them I was doing this for them," Laube said. "They had no idea there was this My Cause My Cleats thing with the NFL. They are super excited, so happy about it.
"I just feel like there's not enough awareness about this, because speech impediments are such a tough thing to go through. To speak as an individual is so important just in life – for a job, in sports, to really do anything in life. When you don't feel comfortable speaking, it's tough."
Laube says he will always use his voice to help others who struggle. And he won't stutter about that.
For more on the Raiders' My Cause My Cleats initiative, visit raiders.com/cleats.
Take a look at behind the scenes photos from the Raiders' design process and reveal of custom cleats for the NFL's 2025 My Cause My Cleats initiative.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) works with representatives from The Shade Tree and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) works with representatives from The Shade Tree and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) works with representatives from The Shade Tree and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) works with representatives from The Shade Tree and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) works with representatives from The Shade Tree and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) works with representatives from Noah's Animal House Vegas Pet Rescue and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) works with representatives from Noah's Animal House Vegas Pet Rescue and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) works with representatives from Noah's Animal House Vegas Pet Rescue and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) works with representatives from Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) works with representatives from Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) works with representatives from Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) works with representatives from Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) works with representatives from Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) works with representatives from Hope Means Nevada and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) works with representatives from Hope Means Nevada and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) works with representatives from Hope Means Nevada and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) works with representatives from Hope Means Nevada and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) works with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black League and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) works with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black League and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) works with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black League and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) poses for a photo with athletes from the Raiders Silver & Black League after designing cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) works with representatives from Merging Vets and Players and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) works with representatives from Merging Vets and Players and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) works with representatives from Merging Vets and Players and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) works with representatives from Merging Vets and Players and designers to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats in Cox Studios at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan designs custom shoes for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Evelyn at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan designs custom shoes for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Evelyn at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan designs custom shoes for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Evelyn at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan designs custom shoes for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Evelyn at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) designs cleats for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Isaak at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) designs cleats for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Isaak at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) designs cleats for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Isaak at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) designs cleats for My Cause My Cleats with Intermountain Children's Health patient Isaak at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brennan Jackson (54) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Terrell Edmunds (28) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (86) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
