Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Trey Knox has become the first college athlete to sign a promotional partnership deal with PetSmart, the company announced on Thursday, July 1.
Due to new NCAA rules that went into effect on July 1, 2021, college athletes can now legally be paid for use of their name, image or likeness (NIL) advertising products or services, something that was previously not allowed.
This news about Trey Knox was previously reported by Little Rock TV station KATV – 7 On Your Side, an ABC affiliate.
Knox, a 6’5″, 209-pound junior from Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has a Siberian Husky named Blue.
“I have always been proud to be a student-athlete and an Arkansas football player, but I am just as proud to be a dog dad to Blue,“ Knox said in a press release. “It was a clear fit to work alongside PetSmart in this game-changing opportunity showcasing my love of Blue and how PetSmart fills all her needs.”
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Trey Knox becomes the first college athlete to sign with PetSmart.
We’re so excited to be partnering with Arkansas wide receiver, Trey Knox. We’d do anything for pets and Trey would do anything for his pup, Blue. @Fbu1Tk #AnythingforPets pic.twitter.com/TZztDfqNpA
— PetSmart (@PetSmart) July 1, 2021
The pair will be primarily utilizing the NIL deal through social media content, as well as behind-the-scenes videos.
PetSmart operates 1,650 stores throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, and they recently appeared on NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry at Nashville Superspeedway, including Wallace’s dog Asher in the design.
According to the official Razorbacks sports website, Trey Knox played 10 games during the 2020 with six starts, compiling seven catches for 70 yards. He also started all 11 games he played in during the 2019 season, catching 28 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns.
The Razorbacks, meanwhile, went 3-7 playing all Southeastern Conference opponents because of the pandemic, tied for sixth in the seven-team SEC West. In 2019, Arkansas went 2-10 (0-8 SEC West), last in the division.
The 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football season begins with hosting the Rice Owls from Conference USA at Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, September 4 at 2 p.m. ET, with TV coverage on ESPN Plus.
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