One of Illinois’ all-time greats, Rashard Mendenhall, has left a lasting impact on the Illinois football program. He was the 2007 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Big Ten, and Third-Team All-America, and he led the Illini to a Rose Bowl appearance. Now, he’s stepping up in a major way for his team, but this time to help the Illini football program gain some ground in the NIL game. Mendenhall has made a sizeable contribution to ICON, the NIL collective supporting Fighting Illini student-athletes, specifically directed to the Illinois football program.
Born and raised in Illinois, Rashard quickly made a name for himself as a standout running back at the University of Illinois. A key figure in leading the Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl, Rashard's accomplishments on the field were nothing short of extraordinary, leading him to be drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he helped his team to a Super Bowl XLIII victory.
“It is so rewarding to see one of the great figures in our program’s proud history continue to pave the road for our current and future players,” said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “With support like Rashard’s, NIL presents an unparalleled opportunity for our program to take a dramatic step forward. As not only the athletic director but also a former player, I am grateful to Rashard for his ongoing support of Illinois Football, and I hope other former Illini letterwinners will consider contributions of their own.”
Since his retirement from football in 2014, Rashard began pursuing his literary passions, later becoming an award-winning writer for HBO’s “Ballers”. Rashard made his return to campus last September where he was honored as part of the seventh UI Athletics Hall of Fame class. Later in the fall, he served as the Fighting Illini’s honorary captain for the final home game of the regular season versus in-state rival Northwestern. The famed running back, Super Bowl champion, and Illini Hall of Famer continues to keep close touch with the program and inspire the current class of Illini NFL hopefuls.
“The time I spent at the University of Illinois is such a foundational part of who I am today. If I can enhance the experience of our student-athletes while also benefiting the greater community that they serve by gifting to ICON in support of NIL, I believe that is a win for the entire famILLy,” Mendenhall said.
NIL continues to be one of the most direct and immediate ways for fans to positively impact the Illinois athletic program and help the Illini gain and maintain a competitive advantage over their peers. ICON encourages everyone to think about how they can get involved and support the cause. Visit ICONforIllini.com or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook at @ICONforIllini.
Comments