Aston Villa and Scotland midfielder John McGinn is spearheading a heartfelt campaign to dismantle the stigma surrounding children who wear glasses or protective goggles while playing football.
The initiative was born from a personal family story, inspired by his young nephew, Jack, who was diagnosed with poor eyesight at the age of four.
From Family Gesture to Global Movement
McGinn's now-iconic 'goggles celebration' began as a personal pledge to support his first-born nephew. Jack was reportedly upset after his initial eye test, fearful of being different from his peers. To bolster his confidence, McGinn promised he would mimic wearing goggles every time he scored a goal.
"He didn't want to be different from the others," McGinn explained. "As a wee bit of support, I said I'd do the goggles celebration." The first public display came in a match for Aston Villa, after he was unable to score during the European Championships. The impact on Jack was immediate and profound. "He was absolutely over the moon," McGinn said.
What started as a small familial gesture has since evolved into a significant movement, giving children across the globe the confidence to wear their corrective eyewear with pride on the pitch.
Safety, Confidence, and a Global Platform
McGinn, who recently extended his contract with Aston Villa until 2028, believes his platform in the English Premier League has been instrumental in amplifying this important message. He emphasises that eyesight challenges should never be a barrier to enjoying sport.
"My celebration gave Jack so much confidence to wear the goggles," McGinn stated. Jack now plays for a local club called Glenvale, where all his teammates know he is the inspiration behind the celebration. This visibility has made wearing goggles a normal and comfortable part of the game for him and countless others.
The 31-year-old star has been inundated with messages from grateful parents and young players worldwide, a response that has deeply moved him. "Having an impact on so many kids around the world is a huge reason and motivation to do it. For me, it's a huge part of my game now," he added.
Beyond acceptance, McGinn highlighted the critical safety aspect. "The risk of a ball hitting a child wearing glasses is huge," he noted. "Goggles protect their eyes, and with the technology available now, there's no reason any child should feel uncomfortable wearing them. It's about safety, comfort, and enjoyment."
Driving Change and Building a Legacy
McGinn's advocacy extends beyond the celebration itself. He is encouraging parents to ensure their children's eyesight is checked regularly and hopes more players will help normalise goggles in football. He points out that good vision is essential for performance, from spotting a defender in peripheral vision to identifying a teammate's run.
He is delighted to see the movement growing, citing players like Andrew Tod in the Scottish Championship who now wear goggles and have their own celebrations. "There should be more positive messages around glasses and goggles," McGinn asserted.
The campaign has garnered official support from opticians Specsavers. Jenny Stephenson, chairperson for Specsavers Scotland, called McGinn's story "an inspiration to children across the world."
To promote safety and inclusion, Specsavers is now offering a 10 percent discount on prescription sports goggles for club players under the age of 18. Stephenson explained the initiative "is about more than vision – it's about confidence and inclusion," ensuring no child feels held back from the sport they love.
McGinn concludes with a call to action for regular eye tests and a hopeful vision for the future: "Hopefully one day Jack's out there playing at Hampden for Scotland wearing the goggles – that would be the McGinn legacy."
