Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler tossed a career-high five touchdowns — in one half — in a 76-0 annihilation of Western Carolina last week, and on Friday he notched a career milestone off the field. Norman-based Fowler Automotive Group gave Rattler two new vehicles — a 2021 Dodge Ram TRX and 2021 Dodge Charger Scat Pack — as part of the name, image and likeness (NIL) deal they announced Friday.
The downside: Sooner coach Lincoln Riley probably won’t accept any car-breaking-down excuses from Rattler if he’s late to practice.
“Being QB1 for one of the best football programs in the country is hard work but all the hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed,” Fowler Automotive wrote on Twitter. “Fowler Automotive wanted to find a way to keep our boy Spencer Rattler comfortable, when he is driving to and from practice, and even though there is only one Spencer, having just one car wasn’t going to be enough, so we went big with two vehicles.”
Rattler has regularly gone big since becoming the Sooners’ full-time signal caller, throwing three-plus touchdowns in six of his 13 games as a starter and clearing 300 yards five times. His performance in 2020 made him the Heisman favorite and presumptive No. 1 NFL Draft pick heading into the ’21 season.
“We are proud and excited to announce our support of Spencer during the 21′ season and we can’t wait to watch all the exciting things he is going to do on the field this year,” Fowler Automotive wrote. “Welcome to the Fowler Auto!”
The NIL policy allowing student-athletes like Rattler to profit off their fame passed on July 1, and the Oklahoma signal caller has been extremely active since. Rattler created his own logo and online shop, sends personalized videos to paying fans via Cameo and signed a deal with the Louisiana-based chicken restaurant Raising Cane’s.
Rattler, a 20-year-old from Phoenix, is also spreading the wealth from his NIL activities to “underserved communities.”
“We as players must use our platform and this new NIL opportunity to do good in the world,” Rattler wrote on Twitter. “I will donate a part of my earnings I receive to help underserved people and underserved communities. The time is now.”
Sooners fans are counting on Rattler to make their team’s national championship time now. No. 3 Oklahoma — which collected wins over Tulane and Western Carolina to start the year — has competed in four of the first seven College Football Playoffs but has yet to break through the first round. If Rattler does lead the Sooners to the CFP title game, he’d be doing it in style with his two new rides.
