OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – The correct shoes or cleats are vital for gameday, signing day, or any other occasion.
Top Nebraska athletes, as well as professional athletes, are turning to an Omaha native to help them look their best.
Sneakers and art have always worked well for Josh Chesler.
“In high school, I kind of put two-and-two together, not knowing it would lead me to where I am today,” Chesler told me.
The Bellevue West graduate began personalizing sneakers at the age of 15. He now fulfills orders for athletes such as Dak Prescott, Russell Westbrook, and Ndamukong Suh.
“It’s non-stop,” Chesler remarked. “If I’m not sleeping then I’m working.”
Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, Omaha’s own boxing superstar, was among Chesler’s first celebrity patrons.
“Once I received those shoutouts,” Chesler said, recalling a period when he donated shoes to Crawford and Bronny James. “It kind of became a snowball effect.”
Since then, the Cornhusker State’s top talent has come calling. Dylan Raiola is a regular client. Christian Jones, a Nebraska football recruit, received a pair of Forces during his Signing Day at Westside.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, a Creighton center, and his wife, Rachael, ordered a matching pair of Jordan Low Tops.
“He did an amazing job with those shoes,” Kalkbrenner added. “We traded a signed ball and jersey for those shoes and I think it worked out pretty good for me because those are sick.”
Chesler’s painting will be on exhibit at Yankee Stadium on Saturday for the Pinstripe Bowl. Three Nebraska players—Raiola, Jacory Barney Jr., and Vincent Shavers—ordered bespoke cleats for the Huskers’ first bowl game since 2016.
“I know Josh from his childhood would be very proud,” Chesler remarked. “Seeing the Huskers wear my painting was one of my goals. They are not just wearing my painting at a bowl game, but also at Yankee Stadium. I will absolutely pay close attention to detail because I want to look after them because they always look after me.”