College athletes are now able to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL) and many are using the opportunity to make money. One athlete is giving back to his college's community. Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum donated $30,000 from his NIL earnings to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.
His mother, Lisa Linderbaum, shared a photo of her son holding a big check with the caption, "He kinda did a thing," and tagged the hospital in the post.
He kinda did a thing. @UIchildrens pic.twitter.com/bgAjkhEOLl
— Lisa Linderbaum (@4lindys) December 19, 2021
The Hawkeyes football team has a connection to this particular children's hospital. The hospital is close enough to Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, where football games are played, that the young patients can look out their room windows and see the action on Saturdays.
In 2017, Iowa began a tradition of fans, players and coaches waving to the kids who catch the game from the hospital.
The collective hello to the kids usually takes place at the end of the first quarter, when those at Kinnick Stadium turn to wave to the kids and their families. The top floor of the hospital is called the "Press Box Cafe" and has floor-to-ceiling windows perfect to see the game action.
