Some will argue about the evils of name, image, and likeness (NIL) laws, which have allowed college athletes to profit from third-party organizations since the summer of 2021. A common complaint among those in the college sports world is how the NIL law came to be. Pandora's Box, feeding players unsustainable amounts of money and further shifting the balance of power towards Power 4 Schools.
But on Friday, NIL was also used as a way to give back.
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Dillon Gabriel, a former Mililani quarterback and current graduate school senior at the University of Oregon, used his connections to launch an event in his former home, bringing new Nike uniforms and helmets to the Trojans football team. Equipped.
Local and national businesses came together to support Mililani athletics as part of Friday's “I'm Inspired” event. The Manny Pacquiao Foundation was also named as one of the sponsors.
“It means a lot. Obviously, this can't happen without (NIL),” Gabriel told KHON2 on Friday. “I think it all comes together and it's bigger than me, and I'm so happy and grateful that so many brands and companies are coming together to impact my community. We're all looking forward to seeing the new jerseys and seeing the boys playing soccer if they're able to play this fall. ”
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In the fall, Gabriel will play his final year of college football as a starter at the University of Oregon. He will wear No. 8, something an Oregon quarterback hasn't accomplished since St. Louis graduate Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014.
“I texted him a little bit,” Gabriel said of Mariota. “He was very supportive and I had players that I looked up to and I ended up playing at the same school as him, which is special and I’m very grateful for that. , I'm grateful to be able to represent Oregon State as well.'' This is so cool and I can't wait to make it happen.
“I remember watching him play 10 years ago, and it's crazy to think that now he can suit up at No. 8 for Oregon State, but here we are. It is. … I’m excited to score a TD at Oututten (Stadium) and I’m having a lot of fun with it. ”
At the University of Oregon, Gabriel pays homage to those who came before him, even if they never came to campus.
During Mariota's campaign, Oregon State became a dream school for many quarterbacks in Hawaii, including former Mililani star Mackenzie Milton. Milton impressed at Oregon State camp, but the coaching staff already had a scholarship lined up for Justin Herbert, the eventual No. 6 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
After then-Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost took the head coaching job at Central Florida, he was finally able to give Milton the scholarship he felt he deserved. Milton took UCF to new heights, culminating with a win over Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl, leading the Knights to a 13-0 season and a national championship. Milton's last time on the field for UCF was due to a serious leg injury he sustained in a game against South Florida in 2018, but the new head coach is urging Gabriel, who left the Army to follow in Milton's footsteps in Orlando, to take a chance. He convinced coach Josh Heupel. .
“It's special,” Gabriel said. “I'm so grateful for my journey and to be able to do it, to be where those two guys played, I watched it and now it's me doing it. It's so much fun. thing.
“You dream of the best moments, the best atmosphere and the best games. There's nothing better than playing for them right now, so I'm very excited.”
The possibilities seem endless for Gabriel and Oregon in the fall. With a talented and experienced roster, the Ducks appear poised to contend for a national title in their first year of Big Ten Conference membership. Another solid season for Gabriel will boost his draft stock again and give Hawaii a new left-handed NFL quarterback.
“College football is a great time in anyone's life, and I want to make the most of it and make the most of every opportunity,” Gabriel said. “No matter what memories I recall, it has been an amazing journey so far, and I can’t wait to continue it.”
But before the most important year of his football career, Gabriel did not forget to visit his hometown team one more time.
Asked about his advice to the Trojans, he said, “Just get together and have a good time.” “They are at a pivotal time right now in figuring out their passions and what they want to do in the future, and the memories they make on the soccer field will be the ones they talk about when they get older and less physically fit.” to play with a ball. It's a friendship that will last a lifetime. I just want them to cherish it and have a good time and at the end of the day, it's Mililani football. It doesn't get any better than this. ”
