Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) reacts before the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle brought a familiar part of his identity to Monday Night Football for his first regular-season game with his new team. Ahead of Denver's Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Waddle wore custom penguin-themed Nike cleats featuring his name, No. 17, and Broncos colors.
Meanwhile, the NFL took to its official X account, formerly Twitter, shortly before kickoff to showcase Waddle's personalized footwear ahead of his highly anticipated Broncos debut.
“Jaylen Waddle brought out the penguin cleats for his @Broncos debut 🐧”
Jaylen Waddle brought out the penguin cleats for his @Broncos debut 🐧
DENvsKC – 8:15pm ET on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/X34qG599LJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2026
The penguin design has followed Waddle since the start of his career with the Miami Dolphins, where, over time, the celebration became closely associated with the speedy receiver during his five seasons in South Florida. Meanwhile, the custom cleats feature a painted penguin with “WADDLE 17” across its chest, an orange beak and feet, a Broncos-orange stripe, mountain imagery, and a red-orange pattern across the toe.
Waddle kept No. 17 after the Broncos acquired him from the Dolphins in March. Denver received Waddle and the No. 111 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft while sending Miami the Nos. 30, 94, and 130 selections.
The 27-year-old arrived in Denver after recording 373 receptions for 5,039 yards and 26 touchdowns over five seasons with the Dolphins. He finished the 2025 campaign with 64 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns.
Monday's matchup gives the former Alabama standout his first regular-season opportunity in Sean Payton's offense alongside Courtland Sutton and quarterback Bo Nix. His lone preseason reception with the Broncos went for 35 yards against the Green Bay Packers on August 21.
The cleats provide a visual connection between Waddle's established penguin identity and his new chapter in Denver as he prepares to make his Broncos regular-season debut on a prime-time stage.