Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
It’s a moment of complete circle.
Front Office Sports reports that Popeyes signed Dieunerst Colin, an offensive lineman from Lake Erie College to a name and image deal. This move, while it’s notable for a D-II player to land an NIL deal is particularly interesting for those who are familiar with a particular meme.
Front Office Sports @FOS
BREAKING NEWS: Popeyes signed Dieunerst Colin, “The Popeyes meme child” — to a NIL deal.
Collin is currently a freshman offensive tackle at D-II Lake Erie College. pic.twitter.com/xC7UmuJLvY
Popeyes @Popeyes
Let’s get this bread(ing) https://t.co/rnQaxBNAiz
Jelani Scott, Sports Illustrated Collin, the meme-kid from “Popeyes”, was noted in the viral Vine clip that circulated the web in 2013. At nine years of age, he gave a side-eyed stare to the camera as he was inside a Popeyes.
He was not shy about wanting NIL and even quoted tweeted that Popeyes should be signed.
Dieunerst Collin @CollinDieunerst
SAID IT BEST @Popeyes https://t.co/gsJE9leK4i
Collin posted another photo of him holding the state championship that he won at high school, along with an Instagram caption in which he asked fans to tag Popeyes to discuss business opportunities.
He was able to make his efforts pay off and is now part of a partnership with the same restaurant that made him so familiar to internet users.
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