Gifting Beats Headphones: A New Alabama Football Tradition
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The impact of name, image and likeness is like never before.
With the new NIL rules surrounding college athletics, student-athletes are able to sign promotional deals with large companies — and now, even their teammates can benefit from it.
Before the 2022-23 season, former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young gifted all of his teammates with specially-made, Alabama-themed Beats by Dre headphones.
That trend will continue into 2023-24.
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and quarterback Jalen Milroe are the latest Crimson Tide players to sign a deal with Beats — and once again, the rest of the team will get their hands on a pair — or multiple pairs — as well.
"The team was very happy that we [were] able to give them Beats," McKinstry said. "I heard some people on the team [were] about to go buy headphones for the season, so me and Jalen, we felt like we came at the right time to give the team Beats. It made me very happy to look out for the boys and do something for the team."
McKinstry said the idea came from Young's generous move a season ago.
"Me and Jalen both got a deal with Beats, and part of the idea was to make sure we got the whole team Beats — like Bryce did the year before," McKinstry said.
At this point, it's becoming a problem for Alabama outside linebacker Chris Braswell — who has too many pairs of Beats to remember at this point.
"I do have a lot of pairs of Beats now," Braswell said. "You know we got some last year, I like those ones, too. But I really like the ones this year because they got like the "A" on the side, so I think the design was better. We appreciate Kool-Aid and Milroe for doing that for us. It means a lot. I love Beats, by the way. I’m always wearing them."
"Extra pair of Beats — I probably just give them to my girlfriend or whatever. They just be laying around, like whatever I decide to choose. I kinda wear the black ones, these ones, those ones, it don’t matter."
For both McKinstry and Braswell, hip-hop artist Lil Baby is at the top of the pregame playlist. However, Braswell has an interesting music palate during the week leading up to the game.
"OK, so before game days, I’m more like a quiet before the storm," Braswell said. "So like I’ll play like some classical music, R&B, old music from the 70s or whatever."
It is highly likely that the majority of the Crimson Tide's team will be rocking the same headphones on the field during Saturday night's pregame festivities.
Alabama opens its season against Middle Tennessee State at 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
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