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New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones has landed his first endorsement as an NFL player with a company based in Boston.
Jones announced his partnership with NOBULL, a startup specializing in athletic footwear and apparel, in a video shared on his verified Instagram account.
“There’s always expectations,” Jones said in the video while working out in NOBULL gear. “Pop Warner: You can’t play this position. High school: You’re too small to play this position. College: You’ll just be the backup.
NOBULL is closely associated with CrossFit, having recently served as a title sponsor for the 2021 CrossFit games, but does not produce cleats or football specific gear, which Jones said was part of the appeal.
“NOBULL is different,” Jones said in a statement ,via Bloomberg.com. “Combine that with the fact that they are a Boston-based company, the partnership felt serendipitous.”
Head coach Bill Belichick, who has long reiterated that the starting quarterback job was Newton's to lose since drafting Jones, said the rookie quarterback took advantage of Newton's absence from the team due to COVID protocols last week.
"It is, yes," Belichick said when asked if Sunday's game against the New York Giants would be a big opportunity for Jones, via Mike Girardi.
The former University of Alabama standout was welcomed with massive cheers when he entered his first preseason NFL game on Thursday (August 12) night against the Washington Football Team and has fared well during two appearances.
Jones led Alabama to a College Football National Championship and was third in the Heisman voting behind teammate DeVonta Smith and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence during his lone season as Alabama's full-time starting quarterback.
Jones threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions on 311 of 402 passing -- while also recording one rushing touchdown -- while leading the Crimson Tide to a 13-0 record in 2020.
Jones also made four starts in the absence of Tua Tagovailoa following a season-ending injury in 2019.