In this world of NIL money being thrown around by the bucket, it was only a matter of time until a player started pitching products at every opportunity the media provided – like SEC Media Days.
Most missed the opportunity, except for one; Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was the only SEC football player in Atlanta last week that had something ready to promote. It was very apparent considering the Tennessee quarterback carried his endorsed product from interview to interview.
While making the rounds of interviews, Hooker made sure that his comic book was with him everywhere he went during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall last week.
In case you missed it, Hooker had a comic book produced last year called “The ABC’s of Scripture for Athletes”. Perhaps you forgot? That’s understandable. Talk of NIL money has overshadowed just about anything that a college football player has done off the field that might actually make the world a better place.
Hooker didn’t let that stop him. Why? Because the opportunity to share his faith was too important.
“Very important,” Hooker said. “Unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for sure. My dad instilled that into us. My mom and dad, just growing through faith and hard work as well.”
You might not believe in the same thing as Hooker, but his faith is something to admire for a person so young with so much adulation. All of that could go to Hooker’s head, but it clearly hasn’t. He’s known for blaring gospel music on game days to prepare himself mentally for the Vols’ upcoming contest. He actually has the same ritual on non-game days as well.
“Every morning I’m waking up, I’m going to have praise and worship for sure,” Hooker said. “It relaxes me. All my confidence is in Him. Just moving forward throughout my daily life, I always just thank Him for the blessings in my life.”
Hooker, who was named second team All-SEC last week, could have promoted any number of items while at SEC Media Days, which is his right under the current NIL agreement. He could have dressed up as the Geico lizard had he chose to, but he didn’t. He decided faith was the best life insurance policy he could endorse.
Hooker isn’t done sharing his faith. He already has a plan in place. Surprisingly, Hooker didn’t even mention the NFL when he spoke about what he will do after college football. The NFL will come calling, but eventually Hooker wants to coach. Considering his first word as a toddler was quite prophetic, that makes perfect sense.
“My first word was ‘ball,’” Hooker said. “You can ask my mom. This is what I do. This is what I want to do. I want to become a coach one day and guide the next generation and help them love the game of football the same way I do.”
That comic book isn’t going anywhere.
In case you’d like to order one:
