NASHVILLE – Remember those colorful cleats Titans running back Derrick Henry wore on his record-breaking night against the Jaguars in December?

Yes, the ones designed by Special Olympic athletes, that went up for auction as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign.

Well, you'll never guess who bought them, and why.

"I asked the question: Who Won? Because I'd like to send a Thank You note," said Adam Germek, CEO and president of Special Olympics Tennessee. "I know a bunch of people wanted those cleats.

"When I heard it was Derrick, well, it was amazing. Derrick wanted to make sure we raised as much money as possible, and he wanted to support as many folks as possible. And Derrick couldn't live without those cleats, and I don't blame him. It couldn't have worked out any better."

It's true.

Henry said the cleats meant so much to him, he wanted them for himself. In the process, it was also a chance for him to make a big contribution that would go right to Special Olympics Tennessee.

So when the Special Olympian-designed cleats went up for auction, the bids grew from the initial $5,000 bid NFL Network's Steve Smith made on the set immediately after the game to into the $6,000s, then into the $7,000s and $8,000s.

When the winning bid of $8,150 came in – from 'Titansfan22' – it was in fact Henry. The winning bid was the third-highest NFL auction total for "My Cause, My Cleats," behind only cleats worn by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The check from the NFL arrived at Special Olympics Tennessee earlier this offseason. Germek said the money will completely fund the Special Olympics Tennessee flag football event in the fall.

"Those cleats are special to me, but not just because of the game," said Henry, who ran for a franchise-record 238 yards in the contest, including a 99-yard touchdown run that tied an NFL record. "They're special because of the connection I have with those kids, so they mean a lot to me.