Ky’Wuan Dukes has signed a deal with chicken fast food chain Bojangles. Freshman wide receiver at Johnson C. Smith University located in Charlotte, North Carolina has become

Freshman wide receiver at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, Dukes is the first student-athlete from a historically Black college or university to sign an endorsement deal. The North Carolina native confirmed the news via Twitter earlier this month, along with photos of himself enjoying the restaurant’s new Bo’s Chicken Sandwich.

The company headquarters located Charlotte, said it is “thrilled” to add Dukes to its team since student athletes are now able to use their first Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals. “Bojangles was born in Charlotte, and we’ve had a longstanding relationship with Charlotte’s only HBCU—Johnson C. Smith University,” Jackie Woodward, chief brand and marketing officer for Bojangles, told McClatchy News in a statement.

“We’re thrilled to have Ky’Wuan join Team Bojangles as the first HBCU athlete on our roster, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with HBCUs and athletes throughout our footprint.”

In July the NCAA changed their rules to allow “all NCAA D1, D2, and D3 student-athletes to be compensated” for their name, image and likeness. This ended the rule of student-athletes not capitalizing on their on-the-court/field prowess, and enabling those who may not end up in the pros with an opportunity to secure financial freedom in an alternative way.

Dukes commented on the deal, highlighting its importance because it puts a spotlight on HBCU athletes, “It means a lot to be honest,” he told the Statesville Record & Landmark.

“It really makes me want to go harder as an athlete and as a person. Me being one of the first ones, especially at an HBCU, is big I feel like because it brings some type of exposure on us HBCU athletes, and I feel like that’s something that we all deserve and need, especially in order to get to the next level.”

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