OSU Player Uses NIL for Charity for Underprivileged Kids

Ohio State University offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. has used the NCAA’s new name, image and likeness rules to acquire sponsors for his charity.

According to WCMH, the non-profit Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation was created when the sophomore from Cincinnati was still in high school. The charity helps provide opportunities, athletic equipment and training for underprivileged children, as well as helps provide services and meals to homeless veterans.

While the foundation has been around for several years, Johnson is now able to have sponsored events thanks to the NCAA allowing college athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness. Therefore, Johnson helped pass out food and clothing during an event at Thompson Recreation Center in Columbus on Sunday.

“When that first came into effect, the first thing I thought about was now I can use opportunities to work with major businesses to help them partner with our foundation just to make things a lot easier, just so we have more access to get people things they need every day,” Johnson said of the NIL rules that passed this summer.

The foundation’s Twitter page says “We exist for the purpose of letting individuals know, their past does not define them to seek the most out of their lives and to provide assistance as needed.” WCMH reported that Johnson and his family plan to sign corporate sponsors to expand the foundation’s services, including creating sustainable housing for homeless veterans.

“It’s about how can you use a platform to expand who you are outside of football,” Johnson’s mother, Monica Daniels, told WCMH.