A New Shoe for Sue

NFL: Expect ex-Husker Suh to feast on off-field pie, too
By Rich Kaipust/WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Ndamukong Suh is going to get his money.

Lots of it, if you study what's come to the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in recent NFL drafts.

“Something I can't talk about now,'' said Eugene Parker, one of his agents, when asked what the former Nebraska defensive tackle might command with his first pro contract.

But Parker can safely discuss the likelihood of Suh seeing further financial gain outside of football. Pitching products, making appearances. Being in demand because of his total package of persona and player.

“In football, the more marketable guys tend to be your quarterbacks and skill-position players, or guys who have a quirky character or personality,'' Parker said. “But because of his presence on the football field — he's just so dominant, a defensive lineman who was a Heisman finalist — it just makes him unique. And then he's such a great guy and has such an interesting background with his family.

“He's more than just a football player. But he is an awesome football player.''

Suh already has signed an endorsement deal with Nike, with no terms disclosed. Parker hinted that it might not be his only agreement so far. Recently, Suh on his Twitter account has made mention of appearances or get-togethers with Visa and EA Sports.

Suh has retained a separate representative for off-field business, a trend that Street & Smith's SportsBusines Journal says several high-profile prospects appear to be following this year.

Within a year of being the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford signed a list of deals that included Visa, Axe Hair, Sprint and Gatorade.

Parker, of Maximum Sports Management, said Suh probably isn't giving much thought to such non-football matters with the NFL Combine two weeks away. Suh has been tucked away at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in Dallas concentrating on workouts and preparing himself to meet the ever-growing expectations.

That kind of focus and attitude are a big plus for Suh, Parker indicated.

“And this is a reason why he is and will be very marketable, because he is so genuine,'' Parker said. “He's going to be the real thing on the field and he'll be authentic, and as his brand continues to develop companies can trust it. Because what you see is what you get.''

Suh more than two weeks ago decided on Parker and Roosevelt Barnes of Maximum Sports Management, based in Fort Wayne, Ind. Parker said he was impressed by the organized and thorough process the Suh family conducted before picking an agent.

Parker said he has only found more to like about the 2009 Associated Press college player of the year since getting to know him a little more.

“He's a very mature person who wants to be accountable and take personal responsibility for maximizing this wonderful opportunity he's been given,'' Parker said. “He's teachable. He's inquisitive. He wants to know. He wants to learn. But he also does it all with a maturity and grace.

“For a guy who's been as highly touted as he is, he carries himself in a remarkable way. That's a lot for a young man these days.''

I'm not really concerned about Ndamukong's Suh ability to make money in the future. With the amount of guaranteed money first round draft picks are getting now this guy is probably going to be set for life at about 7 p.m. April 22. But I didn't think Suh was going to get much love as a pitchman. Now that I think about it a deal with Nike was probably inevitable. Phil Knight is an Oregon guy and he's not going to let a Portland product sign with another company. But the news that Visa and EA Sports are interested was surprising given his soft spoken nature. I can only hope Mr. Suh is on the cover of NCAA 11. Maybe they'll use the shot above of him wearing out Jordan Shipley's boyfriend.