Myles Garrett Donates $7.4 Million to Launch NIL Fund for Texas A&M Athletes
Byline: College Station, Texas — May 2025
In an unprecedented act of generosity and strategic foresight, NFL All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has donated $7.4 million to establish one of the largest NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) support funds in college athletics. The newly launched “Aggie Legacy NIL Fund” aims to empower Texas A&M athletes to compete both on the field and in the increasingly lucrative arena of personal branding.
Garrett, a Texas A&M alumnus and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, returned to his alma mater Friday to unveil the fund before a packed Kyle Field crowd. He was flanked by university officials, student-athletes, and representatives from the 12th Man Foundation, which will help manage and administer the fund.
“This is about giving back and giving forward,” Garrett said during the press conference. “Texas A&M gave me a platform to grow, not just as an athlete, but as a man. Now I want the next generation of Aggies to have every tool they need—on and off the field.”
The fund will distribute financial resources to student-athletes across all sports, not just football, emphasizing academic performance, community engagement, and personal development. According to fund guidelines, participating athletes will engage in charitable and educational initiatives around Texas, further connecting the university to its surrounding communities.
NIL deals, legalized in 2021, have reshaped the landscape of college sports, allowing athletes to earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, and appearances. Yet disparities remain—particularly among non-revenue sports and female athletes. Garrett’s fund seeks to change that narrative.
“This isn’t just about football,” said Dr. Katherine Banks, Texas A&M’s President. “This is about equity, opportunity, and building a model that reflects our core values: leadership, excellence, integrity, and selfless service. Myles’ gift sets a new standard.”
Current Aggie athletes reacted with excitement. Track and field sprinter Lena Moore called it “a dream come true,” noting the fund will help her afford training equipment, travel, and academic tutoring. Quarterback Donovan Childress said it will “relieve pressure and let us focus on becoming better players and people.”
Garrett, now a multi-time Pro Bowler with the Cleveland Browns and a noted philanthropist, has long emphasized the importance of education and social investment. This donation comes on the heels of his $1.5 million endowment to Texas A&M’s engineering department in 2023.
Experts say the Aggie Legacy NIL Fund could become a national model.
“Myles understands the new era of college athletics,” said sports economist Dr. Alicia Kim. “He’s not just investing in players—he’s investing in structure, fairness, and a culture of responsibility.”
Garrett concluded the event with a challenge: “I hope this gift inspires others—former players, alumni, fans—to step up. The future of the Aggies is bright, and it starts today.”
Indeed, under a cloudless Texas sky, with the crowd chanting “Gig ’em,” it felt like a new chapter was beginning—not just for Texas A&M, but for the evolving soul of college sports.
