Jordan Travis uses NIL deals to aid Hurricane Ian victims
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BVM) – The NIL landscape in collegiate athletics has changed the way student-athletes have been able to use their own brand to help themselves financially. However, while the new ruling has no doubt helped student-athletes with their own finances, it has also provided organizations and fans unique opportunities such as camps, autograph sessions and other events. It has also allowed players to help in deeper and more meaningful ways as well, such as Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis announcing he would use his NIL deals with Big Man Big Heart, a Tallahassee-based non-profit, and Cameo to raise money for Hurricane Ian relief.
We’re all we got, we’re all we need!
I’m teaming up with @BigManBigHeart_, @GibbonsDillan & @Malakai_Menzer to set up a fund for #HurricaneIan relief/restoration:https://t.co/DSA3mL0Enq#NoleFam #OneTribe
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) September 29, 2022
“Jordan Travis, Malakai Menzer and I have teamed up to help those affected by the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Ian left in its path in our home state this week,” Big Man Big Heart founder and CEO Dillan Gibbons wrote on the GoFundMe page. “We know that college football fans here in Florida and across the country want to help, but don’t know how. Please DONATE and SHARE this GoFundMe to help us raise as much money as possible to help those whose lives have been changed forever by this storm.”
While the damage in Florida from the hurricane is still being assessed, as of Friday reports have confirmed four people have died during the event, at least 700 rescues have been conducted during and after the storm, and 2.67 million Florida homes and businesses had their electricity knocked out.
As of publishing, the Hurricane Ian GoFundMe has raised over $15,500 through over 220 donations. Travis’ tweet about the fundraising efforts has also done well with over 1,600 likes and 420 retweets.
Travis didn’t stop there though. Later on Sept. 29, Travis announced that he would be on the celebrity video-sharing website Cameo through the month of October with all funds raised going to World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters.
I’ll be back on Cameo until Oct 31st to raise money for Hurricane Ian relief efforts. All of my net proceeds from Cameo will go directly to @WCKitchen in order to help provide warm meals to those in need. Praying for those impacted by Hurricane Ian
🔗 https://t.co/jEmTQTwz9Q pic.twitter.com/MXgASTRm2E
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) September 29, 2022
World Central Kitchen founder and famous chef José Andrés even retweeted the quarterback’s message thanking him and drawing even further attention to his efforts.
Thank you @jordantrav13 we will be there @WCKitchen reaching quick and fast as many people as we can in Florida. #ChefsForFlorida https://t.co/gsJYaByrG7
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) September 30, 2022
For Travis, the devastation hit close to home. While Tallahassee remained mostly unscathed from the hurricane, Travis’ hometown of West Palm Beach was hit, though not as badly as some of the other cities in the state. For the Floridian native, he is using his reach to help as much as he can.
Given Travis’ popularity on social media, he will likely be able to secure plenty of fundraising through his efforts. According to On3.com, Travis has 70,000 total followers across Instagram, TikTok and Twitter with a per post value of $958. While these posts will not be used for marketing purposes, the fact he is able to add so much value to his posts bodes well for his fundraising efforts.
While Travis and his teammates prepare for their next game and the rest of the season, their thoughts and hearts will be with those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Ian. With Travis’s help, the transition back to normalcy should become a bit easier as Florida recovers.
