Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras teamed up with Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott for a special collaboration ahead of Opening Day, when Abbott is slated to take the mound as the starting pitcher.
Karras’ organization, the Cincy Hat Foundation, is releasing its second-ever athlete collaboration March 16, with this collab benefiting the Joe Nuxhall Foundation, an organization near to Abbott’s heart. The foundation provides accessible and inclusive baseball fields and recreational opportunities for athletes with disabilities of all ages.
“Teaming up with the Cincy Hat Foundation ahead of this season to create the Andrew Abbott Cincy Hat, benefiting the Nuxhall Foundation, has been incredibly meaningful to me,” Abbott said.
“The Nuxhall Foundation does impactful work for kids and adults with disabilities right here in our city. I truly believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of baseball, no matter their ability. I’m grateful to play even a small part in helping support and grow that mission.”
Karras said he’s “really excited” to launch the new hat, adding that “Andrew has already shown such a genuine commitment to this community and to individuals with disabilities, which is exactly what the Cincy Hat is all about.”
Honoring Joe Nuxhall
For the lefthander, the collaboration, dubbed the Andrew Abbott Cincy Hat, holds a special meaning, as he sports No. 41, the same number once made famous by Joe Nuxhall.
Kim Nuxhall, the youngest of the Reds’ great, said Abbott and his father “have a shared legacy that goes deeper than the number 41.”
“My dad believed, as does Andrew, that athletes have a unique platform to help others and do good. That’s why we are amazed to see Andrew using this unique opportunity with the Cincy Hat Foundation to help my dad’s legacy and the thousands of special needs athletes we serve through the Nuxhall Foundation and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields,” Kim Nuxhall said.
“In everything he does, Andrew honors my dad and makes us all so proud.”
Proceeds from Abbott’s Cincy Hat directly support the Joe Nuxhall Foundation’s newest initiative, the Hope Center, an inclusive indoor recreation facility providing year-round opportunities for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities to play, stay active and experience the game in a welcoming environment. The facility is set to break ground later this year.
The Joe Nuxhall Foundation will also honor Abbott with his very own Character Card. Abbott was among a select group of athletes chosen for their strong character and commitment to serving others. The baseball-style card features a custom message from the pitcher, designed to encourage and uplift young fans.
The Character Cards are slated to release in April. Additionally, starting in April, one card will be included in every Abbott Cincy Hat order, helping extend the reach of his message and the foundation’s mission.
Abbott’s hat marks the second athlete partnership for Karras, whose Cincy Hat initiative helped put him in the running for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2023 and 2025. The first athlete partnership was with former teammate and Queen City native Sam Hubbard. Karras’ foundation supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
How to get the Andrew Abbott Cincy Hat
The vintage-style red and white rope hat, featuring both Abbott and Nuxhall’s last names along with the players’ shared No. 41, will be available on thecincyhat.com March 16 at 7 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Andrew Abbott, Ted Karras collab for new Cincy Hat before Opening Day
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
