“Hands down the best NIL deal ever, wow” – Fans left in awe of ‘Popeyes meme kid’ Dieunerst Collin’s big move

Published Jan 11, 2023 18:13 GMT

Dieunerst Collin may have just signed the best NIL deal, finally making money off his former "Popeye's kid" meme.

The NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals have taken over college sports. With NCAA athletes getting expensive cars for free meals, a pizza named after them and literally everything in between. But the most recent brand deal just makes sense to everyone who hears about it.

One may not immediately recognize the name Dieunerst Collin, but everyone knows the famous Popeye's kid meme. When Collin was just nine years old, a picture of him giving an angry look towards the camera went viral and has circulated as one of the most popular memes on social media.

Collin is now a college football player for Lake Erie College, a Division II school in Painesville, Ohio. He plays on the offensive line for Lake Erie College and recently signed an NIL deal with Popeye's, according to Front Office Sports. Details of his deal have not been made public, so whether the former "Popeye's kid" will appear in upcoming commercials is unknown.

But when the news of the NIL deal was reported on social media, no one just got enough. With many saying that this was the best negotiated NIL contract that they have heard of. Others were just shocked that the boy in the meme is now a college student.

What are the rules of the NIL Deals in NCAA sports?

Up until July 2021, NCAA athletes who tried to cash in on their name and celebrity status were faced with punishments from the NCAA and their schools. NCAA athletes are now allowed to accept gifts, whether items or monetary, for their name, image or likeness.

Some of the biggest names in college athletics now make millions of dollars while still going to school and before becoming professional athletes.

In fact, many high school athletes are now choosing a university that provides a higher chance of inking an NIL deal.

Thanks to the new name, image and likeness rules, fans can now purchase college jerseys with their favorite player's name on the back, something that was prohibited in the past. That athlete will now make a small profit off of every jersey sold.

While collegiate athletes are permitted to earn money through these deals, there are some rules. Athletes must report all earnings and brand deals to their universities, and all deals and contracts must be compliant with the state laws that their university or college is located in.

About the author

Bethany Cohen is an NFL writer at Sportskeeda, with a rich prior 15-year experience in the sports writing industry, primarily covering the MLB and MiLB. She majored in Communications from the University of South Florida and has previously worked for top companies such as Examiner.com and Legends on Deck.

Bethany owes her NFL allegiance to the Pittsburgh Steelers owing to their long-standing tradition and competitiveness. She is a fan of old stalwarts such as Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris and would love to watch them in the 1970s if she manages to get her hand on a time machine. She also acknowledges the greatness of modern icons like T.J. Watt for his desire to continuously improve despite being on top. She admires coaches Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid for their longevity and success.

The ace reporter credits her knowledge and love for the sport to be her biggest reporting strengths. Prior fact-checking is a big component of her process and she always scours through additional sources to ensure complete accuracy in her content.

Super Bowl XLIII, when the Steelers won the the grand prize after Santonio Holmes’ epic catch in the end zone with just seconds left on the clock is etched in Bethany’s memory forever. When she is free of her professional commitments, she likes to attend sports events and music concerts.

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