Ole Miss All-American running back Kewan Lacy just made a pretty big move for his career—and maybe for the whole conversation around athlete safety. He’s announced a new NIL partnership to promote brain health and safety.
The former Lancaster star will be endorsing the Q-Collar, a device designed to limit brain movement during football-related head impacts. It’s a partnership that shows Lacy’s thinking about his own well-being, but also pushes the conversation about brain health in sports a bit further.
Introducing Kewan Lacy’s New Partnership
Lacy, who had a breakout season at Ole Miss after transferring from Missouri, is now stepping into a different role off the field. He’ll be promoting the Q-Collar, which applies light pressure around the neck to help limit brain movement during head impacts.
This product is supposed to protect athletes from the effects of repetitive head impacts—a big concern in football and other contact sports. It’s not just another helmet or mouthguard, that’s for sure.
The Role of Family in the Decision
Lacy’s mom, Kendra McGrew, was a huge influence on his decision to endorse the Q-Collar. She was worried about his safety and dug deep into research about the device.
“Being a caring mom, she wanted me to be safe, so she did some research about it,” Lacy said. Her investigation and encouragement ended up being a big reason he decided to use and promote the Q-Collar.
Why the Q-Collar?
The Q-Collar isn’t just another piece of sports equipment—it’s trying to change the game for athlete safety. A few NFL players, like Colts’ Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner and Bills’ tight end Dalton Kincaid, have already endorsed it.
Those endorsements caught McGrew’s eye, and she wanted to see if the Q-Collar could help her son too. Sometimes, you just listen to the pros and trust a mom’s gut, right?
Scientific Backing and Athlete Testimonials
The Q-Collar has drawn attention because of its unique approach to brain protection. “I felt it was a great opportunity to do what he does on the field and be safe and comfortable and confident with having the extra layer of precaution and protection on the field,” McGrew said.
Other athletes have shared positive testimonials, and there’s scientific research backing up the Q-Collar’s effectiveness. It seems like a reliable option for those worried about brain health, though nothing’s ever 100% guaranteed.
Lacy’s Stellar Performance at Ole Miss
In his first year at Ole Miss, Lacy carried the ball an SEC-high 306 times and racked up 1,567 yards. He also led the SEC with 24 touchdowns.
Lacy’s performance helped Ole Miss reach a 13-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. With all those carries and hits, it makes sense he’d want to take steps to protect himself for the long run.
The Importance of Brain Health in Football
Football’s a tough sport, no question. High-impact collisions happen all the time.
“I think it will play a major role, because we don’t do a lot of things for our brain,” Lacy said. The Q-Collar gives athletes like him another layer of protection, which might help them play their best and avoid some of the risks down the road.
Future Endeavors: EA Sports College Football 27
On top of the new partnership, Lacy will also be featured as a cover athlete for the video game EA Sports College Football 27’s standard edition, dropping July 9. That’s a pretty big deal and just adds to his growing influence, both on and off the field.
Fans will get to see Lacy in action on the gridiron and now in the gaming world, too. Not bad for a guy who’s just getting started.
The Role of Social Media in Promoting Brain Health
As part of his Q-Collar partnership, Lacy plans to share his experiences and talk about brain health on his social media. The goal is to reach more people and raise awareness about why brain safety matters in sports.
By using his platform, Lacy hopes to inspire other athletes to look out for themselves. Maybe it’ll get others thinking about their own health, too.
Conclusion
Kewan Lacy’s partnership with the Q-Collar is a big move for brain health in sports.
He’s got his mom cheering him on, and there’s scientific research backing him up.
Lacy’s dedication to safety, along with his impressive play, really sets him apart.
Honestly, it’s hard not to see him as a role model for young football players out there.
If you’re curious about Lacy’s story or want more on his new partnership, check out the full article on Dallas News.
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