LOOK: Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum donates NIL earnings to Iowa Children's Hospital
The college football landscape has completely changed with players able to sign NIL deals to earn money through their names, images, and likeness. Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum just made an incredible gesture by donating his NIL earnings to a local Iowa Children’s Hospital.
Linderbaum, a third-year Iowa offensive lineman, donated $30,000 to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The move from Linderbaum is a tremendous one.
Linderbaum, an Iowa native, began his Hawkeyes career as a defensive lineman before switching to the offensive side of the ball in 2019. He started all games in 2019 at center, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Now, Linderbaum has turned himself into a likely first round NFL Draft pick. Pro Football Focus projects him going 22nd overall while ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has Linderbaum going 16th overall.
Linderbaum’s donation is the second great gesture from Iowa in the past week
Linderbaum donating his NIL earnings to the Iowa Children’s Hospital is incredible, and a gesture that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. But it isn’t the only honorable move from the Iowa program over the past week. Following the series of tornadoes and strong storms that hit Western Kentucky last week, Iowa partnered with the Kentucky Wildcats to assist relief efforts in the impacted communities.
Iowa posted a message from head football coach Kirk Ferentz on Monday, sharing that the Hawkeyes want to help out in any way that they can. Iowa and Kentucky face off in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“We are preparing to play Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl – but game planning for a bowl is nothing compared to the challenge the victims of this weekend’s severe weather outbreak are facing now and long into the future,” Ferentz said.
“I called former Hawkeye Mark Stoops – the Wildcats’ head coach – and asked what the Hawkeyes could do to support those in need. He told me that Kentucky’s athletics department is raising money for victims through a telethon and an online fundraiser.
“Hawk fans are a passionate fan base. Let’s show them how compassionate we can be.”