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Brian Kelly I learned pretty quickly that NIL was not going to go away and that as an SEC head coach, dismissing it just wouldn’t work. But even the LSU The head coach isn’t quite sure he wants to go as far as some other programs.
For example, State of Oklahoma unveiled QR codes for a team NIL fund that players will wear on the back of their helmets during the season opener. While that move generated plenty of headlines — and mixed reactions as to the plan’s effectiveness in actually collecting game-day donations — Kelly seems skeptical, and for more than just practical reasons.
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“For me, the QR codes start — I don’t know. I think we can keep NIL off the field,” Kelly said Wednesday on the SEC coaches’ conference call. “I think we can create the things we need here at LSU regardless of the game day atmosphere, the college feel that you have.”
Kelly went on to explain how much he appreciates aspects of the college environment that differentiate the game from the NFL and high school football. Personally, he isn’t too interested in piercing the veil of pomp and pageantry surrounding football games by using such obvious ploys to generate donations for the roster.
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“That’s just my personal feeling: Putting a QR code on your helmet doesn’t feel collegial to me,” Kelly said. “And as much as we can continue to play this game with the band and with college-age kids playing the game – I understand NIL is here to stay and that’s great. But I think we can separate ourselves from that and still work on NIL at the end of the game. And that’s just my personal feeling about it.”
Oklahoma State announced the QR codes a few weeks before the season
The Cowboys announced on August 21 that QR codes will be placed on helmets this season that will link to the Pokes with a purpose NIL fundraising page. Fans can make a general donation or recognize a specific player, such as a running back. Ollie GordonFor example.
“This is a revolutionary step forward that will help Oklahoma State football continue to be at the forefront,” said Oklahoma State coach Michael Gundy said in a statement. “It gives fans around the world a chance to really make a difference when it comes to supporting the NIL’s efforts for Cowboy football. I’m very excited about this opportunity for our players.”
QR codes are nothing new in the NIL scene. UCF wore jerseys with codes that linked back to the players’ social media channels in spring 2022. Schools have also displayed QR codes on video boards that connect fans with NIL collectives.
