AP NFL Blitz: Breast cancer awareness

Week 5 of the NFL season marks the beginning of the sixth year of the NFL’s A Crucial Catch campaign, which supports the American Cancer Society (ACS). NFL players will wear pink gear that includes: cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, helmet decals and other items in order to raise awareness around the importance of annual breast cancer screenings, especially for women over the age of 40. Below is a gallery of images from the ACS campaign from previous years by AP photographers.

Chargers Jaguars Football

Head linesman Jerry Bergman (91) wears pink wristbands in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the first half of an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

NFL-Sponsorships Football

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2013, file photo, an NFL pink ribbon logo commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month is displayed on goal post dring the second half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the St. Louis Rams in Charlotte, N.C. Procter & Gamble is canceling an on-field breast cancer awareness promotion it had been planning with the National Football League, the latest sponsor to respond to the NFL's growing problems. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

Broncos Cowboys Football

An official stands in the end zone as a pink wrap honoring Breast Cancer Awareness is seen on the goal post during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Broncos won 51-48. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Titans Seahawks Football

Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals cheerleaders perform wearing pink for breast cancer awareness before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Eagles Buccaneers Football

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot and cheerleaders wear pink, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Panthers Cardinals Football

Pink towels, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, are draped over the bench prior to a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Titans Seahawks Football

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman wears pink for breast cancer awareness as he warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Bengals Lions Football

Field Judge Boris Cheeck wears a pink whistle and bow in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during warmups before an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Chargers Jaguars Football

The Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders wear pink boots in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Rams Texans Football

Footballs with the breast cancer awareness logo sit on the field before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Bears Football

The historic columns of Soldier Field are illuminated in pink as part of the NFL's tribute to breast cancer awareness month Monday, Oct. 14, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chargers Jaguars Football

Jacksonville Jaguars fan Jimmie Stalvey wears pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness in the stands during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Bills Saints Football

A Breast Cancer Awareness banner is seen before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

Bengals Lions Football

Detroit Lions mascot Roary wears a pink jersey in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month outside Ford Field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Jaguars Broncos Football

Denver Broncos wide receiver Trindon Holliday (11) wears pink eye black to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Saints Patriots Football

New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley, wearing pink to call attention to breast cancer awareness month, kneels in the end zone before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct.13, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Redskins Cowboys Football

Dallas Cowboys fans cheer and wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

NFL-Women Football

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2012, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, right, wearing pink for breast cancer awarenes, runs from Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. Some would say the league is at a moral crossroads as focus on abuse allegations against players and the their response to them intensifies. Some women have been among the most vocal NFL detractors. Yet female NFL fans, who are stinking mad about the abuse and the way the league has handled it, continue to watch. The NFL has started female fan groups and has made a big push for breast cancer awareness in October, rolling out pink shoes, sweatbands and jerseys. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross, File)

Jaguars Broncos Football

Pink balloons are released inside Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month during halftime of an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

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