BleedGopher
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per Randy:
Realizing he'll have more opportunities to make NIL money than his teammates, Morgan, along with running back Mohamed Ibrahim, decided to include the offensive linemen in on the action, coming up with the idea of an autograph session at Baldy's BBQ, with all proceeds going to the big fellas.
"I reached out to Baldy and asked him if there was something we could do for our offensive line to profit off this name, image and likeness before the season starts,'' Morgan said. "He was like, 'Yeah, of course.' We got it going, and it was perfect combination. It was cool for our guys to come out here and sign some autographs.''
Baldy is Brian "Baldy'' Wheeler, a former placekicker for Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and the University of Missouri. "Broke my leg in three spots and never got to play'' at Missouri, Wheeler said. He moved to Minnesota in 2003, started Baldy's BBQ in 2009 and helped coach Lakeville South's quarterbacks and receivers when future QB Mitch Leidner was playing for the Cougars. He became a Gophers fan, is a regular at tailgates and has catered events for the team.
Wheeler also became friends with Morgan's father, Ted, who died July 12 after battling brain cancer. "[Tanner] called me the day after the funeral and said, 'Let's get this thing together. I need to get this for my linemen,' '' Wheeler said. "He said, 'I'm getting some opportunities, Mo's getting some opportunities, but my linemen, they ain't seeing the love.' ''
At Wednesday's event, fans could receive autographs from the linemen for $10 per item, and during the two-plus-hour session, an estimated 250 people showed up. Wheeler gave the Gophers group 15% of the restaurant's proceeds from 5 p.m. and on, which augmented the amount the players received from autographs. The 10 linemen split a total of roughly $2,000.
The linemen, of course, applauded the efforts of Morgan and Ibrahim.
"Thank you very much for Tanner and Mo,'' senior guard Blaise Andries said. "It's really cool that they were willing to do that for their offensive line. When you think of NIL, you think of the top three or four players on the team getting most of the deals. We're lucky enough to have great people on our team helping us out.''
Added senior guard Conner Olson, "We appreciate it. Tanner's been our guy through this.''
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Realizing he'll have more opportunities to make NIL money than his teammates, Morgan, along with running back Mohamed Ibrahim, decided to include the offensive linemen in on the action, coming up with the idea of an autograph session at Baldy's BBQ, with all proceeds going to the big fellas.
"I reached out to Baldy and asked him if there was something we could do for our offensive line to profit off this name, image and likeness before the season starts,'' Morgan said. "He was like, 'Yeah, of course.' We got it going, and it was perfect combination. It was cool for our guys to come out here and sign some autographs.''
Baldy is Brian "Baldy'' Wheeler, a former placekicker for Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and the University of Missouri. "Broke my leg in three spots and never got to play'' at Missouri, Wheeler said. He moved to Minnesota in 2003, started Baldy's BBQ in 2009 and helped coach Lakeville South's quarterbacks and receivers when future QB Mitch Leidner was playing for the Cougars. He became a Gophers fan, is a regular at tailgates and has catered events for the team.
Wheeler also became friends with Morgan's father, Ted, who died July 12 after battling brain cancer. "[Tanner] called me the day after the funeral and said, 'Let's get this thing together. I need to get this for my linemen,' '' Wheeler said. "He said, 'I'm getting some opportunities, Mo's getting some opportunities, but my linemen, they ain't seeing the love.' ''
At Wednesday's event, fans could receive autographs from the linemen for $10 per item, and during the two-plus-hour session, an estimated 250 people showed up. Wheeler gave the Gophers group 15% of the restaurant's proceeds from 5 p.m. and on, which augmented the amount the players received from autographs. The 10 linemen split a total of roughly $2,000.
The linemen, of course, applauded the efforts of Morgan and Ibrahim.
"Thank you very much for Tanner and Mo,'' senior guard Blaise Andries said. "It's really cool that they were willing to do that for their offensive line. When you think of NIL, you think of the top three or four players on the team getting most of the deals. We're lucky enough to have great people on our team helping us out.''
Added senior guard Conner Olson, "We appreciate it. Tanner's been our guy through this.''
New era: Gophers football players cash in during Lakeville event
Tanner Morgan, Mohamed Ibrahim and the offensive line signed autographs a few days ago outside a strip mall barbecue joint, taking advantage of new NCAA rules.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
or whatever.
