The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy in collegiate sports has had its share of negative coverage in sports media. This isn’t one of them.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is using his own NIL money to host a free football camp for kids on July 13th. The camp will be held at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa.
The event is being hosted for 5th to 8th graders and, according to the Des Moines Register, will see Becht “covering all expenses through his NIL earnings”.
The Cyclones signal-caller will also make a donation to the Perry Community Schools.
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Rocco Becht Is An Impressive Young Man
Rocco Becht, a redshirt freshman quarterback for Iowa State, had a standout season in 2023. He started all 12 games for the Cyclones, leading them to a 7-5 overall record and a 6-3 record in the Big 12.
Becht was a bright spot for the Cyclones in the Liberty Bowl, throwing for 446 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 36-26 loss to Memphis. The team could not overcome an early 19-0 deficit.
He was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, beating out other talented freshmen in the conference. And you might recognize the last name.
Becht is the son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht who played 11 seasons in the league.
Rocco said that he is “excited” about the kids’ football camp and is “look(ing) forward to giving back and having a fun day w/ all the kids in Perry.”
Brent Blum, director of the We Will Collective which will help organize, announced the football camp via a press release.
“This was entirely Rocco’s idea,” said Blum. “We are honored to be able to help him make this a reality.”
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Community Recovering
Making Rocco Becht’s NIL-funded gesture all the more important is that the Perry school community recently suffered a great tragedy.
The community is still reeling from a shooting that took place at Perry High School in January.
A 17-year-old student named Dylan Butler opened fire at the school, killing a sixth-grader and injuring five others before taking his own life.
What an impressive move on Becht’s part to use football and his NIL money to aid in the healing process.
The issue of “amateur athletes” receiving payments has been a subject of considerable debate. Notably, renowned college football coach Nick Saban retired earlier this year, mentioning NIL as a significant factor in his decision.
Becht found a way to use it for good.
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