Since the beginning of Name, Image and Likeness in college athletics and the ensuing creation of the Bulldog Initiative, founder Charlier Winfield and his staff have tried to utilize the new age for the better.
The Initiative has had student athletes take children in the Starkville community on shopping sprees, visited area schools to spend time with kids and, most notably, it has gotten Mississippi State players involved in helping with childhood literacy.
The BI is currently working hand in hand with Champions for Literacy and the Starkville Public Library to read books to children in the community every week. Each Wednesday at 2 p.m. through the month of July, several football players have been reading books to a collection of kids.
“When you put an action to NIL and truly get to know all of our student athletes and see the passion that they have to give back to the community, it’s truly life-changing,” Director of External Relations Emmie Perkins said. “You never know who they can impact when they visit these school kids. It could be the kid without strong parental guidance that they inspire to change his life and go after a dream.
“I’ve found that these athletes absolutely love spending time with these students in the community and being role models. They’re always asking when the next visit is and when they can give back. Mississippi State is something special, because you don’t see this around the nation.”
This Wednesday, the representatives for the Initiative and for MSU football were senior defensive end De’Monte Russell, senior safety Jordan Morant and junior wide receivers Kevin Coleman and Jordan Mosley.
Each student athlete had a chance to read a separate book to the kids and attendance, and all four took time to sign autographs and take pictures immediately following.
“I think this is a great opportunity, especially for this new era of athletes. I’ve seen both sides of this with not having NIL and now having it,” Russell said. “What we’re doing for the community right now, it’s not about the money. It’s a great opportunity for us to do more for the community,” Russell said.
“It’s an awesome experience. I love the kids and never got to experience something like this before so I’m willing to do this for them. I want them to know that there is more to life out there.”
The opportunity is also a big deal for Perkins. After graduating from MSU, Perkins never predicted she would be working with athletes in some capacity but she feels that everything fell right into place for her.
The former Miss Mississippi has taken her own philanthropic background from the pageant world and her love for the Bulldogs and put it all together in her new position.
“I never thought that I’d be involved in the NIL world. It really fell in my lap but I’m exactly where I need to be – working for Mississippi State Athletics and the Bulldog Initiative,” Perkins said. “That’s what gives me passion to get up every day and not only fundraise but work with these guys.”
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