Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson's BBQ Brand Offers NIL Deal to Washington Offensive Line

Huskies' award-winning line surprised with AC Barbeque photoshoot opportunity

In all of sports marketing - including NIL - football's offensive line is often a forgotten group. Skill position players traditionally earn the majority of the spotlight and brand partnership deal flow, but the best o-line in the country is now changing that narrative.

Ahead of the College Football Playoff, celebrity barbecue lifestyle brand AC Barbeque - founded by comedians Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson - has offered the No. 2-ranked Huskies' line a unique NIL partnership to celebrate their collective looks.

In an Instagram collab post between AC Barbeque and Washington Football, the celebrity duo surprised the Huskies with an invite to Los Angeles for a "Husky & Handsome Men Of The Year" calendar photoshoot.

"Need you to get your sexy on, get your smooth on, get your smile right, wax your back," they shared. "This it gonna be the big thing for the big dawgs that play the game the big way."

Created by the renowned comedians and grilling enthusiasts, AC Barbeque was founded on the principles of Black excellence, family tradition and bringing people together, while aiming to provide the tools, flavor and community to take grilling to the next level.

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Washington's line recently won the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in the country. They allowed just 11 sacks in 13 games, and only 46 tackles for loss, protecting Heisman Trophy runner-up and Maxwell Award winner Michael Penix Jr. who threw for a nation-leading 4,218 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions.

"The dominance of our offensive line has been critical to our team’s championship season," Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer said after the Joe Moore Award was announced. "Under Coach Scott Huff’s leadership, this unit has provided exceptional protection for Michael Penix all season long, and paved the way for a physical and efficient run game as well. The Joe Moore Award is a tremendous tribute to their production and an honor they will truly cherish. I am proud of the work they have put in to receive such a great achievement."

Previous Joe Moore winners include Michigan (2022, 2021,), Alabama (2020), LSU (2019) and Oklahoma (2018)

Washington and their award-winning offensive line will face a strong defensive line from No. 3 Texas - led by All-Americans T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II - in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024 at 8:45PM ET on ABC for the College Football Playoff semifinal.