Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andre Carter II didn’t have the college career that many dream of.
There were no big-money name, image, and likeness deals at Army West Point. In fact, the university overlooking the Hudson River had no N.I.L. deals because cadets are considered employees of the United States Government.
“That’s something that you look at and like, okay, yeah, that would be nice,” Carter said about NIL. “But we’re [at Army] for different reasons, you know, we’re not there for the money or anything like that. We’re there to get a great education, play football, beat Navy, beat Air Force. And then, serve this great country.”
Army’s schedule also varied from most FBS programs. While cadets still attended class and practiced football, there were “military things” that made life at West Point different.
“Earlier in the summer times with the summer training, we’re losing 20-30 pounds, the beginning each summer, during the military training, that’s something that doesn’t happen in other places,” Carter said. “And then, during the school year, we’ll have formations in the morning at lunch. And then when we return on the weekends, where everybody just gets up, and you get accountability of everybody.”
After four years of that process, it’d be hard to blame Carter for having more time on his hands.
Now that Carter is in the NFL, his schedule is no different from any other player on the team. There are still the foundations of football practice, but there are no more tests or exams. And there are none of those “military things” that Carter talked about.
“Not having to do school, have to worry about school work, and that stuff, has been a big weight off my shoulders,” Carter explained. “And now, I just find myself looking for things to do because I’m not used to having all this time on my hand. I’ll get done at three, four o’clock, and have the rest of the day to myself. That’s not something that I’m used to.”
Heading to the professional ranks has also allowed Carter to help others through his status. While it’s not NIL – a concept reserved for amateur athletes in college – Carter is able to sign brand deals, something he’s already taken advantage of.
Just months after signing his first professional contract, Carter partnered with Hoist, a U.S. Military-approved hydration drink. According to Carter, partnering with a company that shares similar views to him was a focal point.
“This the first partnership that I’ve done, and coming from the coming from the Army, I feel like it’s important for me to align myself with people who are kind of like-minded,” Carter said. “Hoist is definitely that. They’ve been around, they’re approved hydration over the US military. So, since I got to West Point, the drinks had been all over the place.”
Carter first came in contact with Hoist during basic training during his freshman year. During that time, cadets mostly received water, making Hoist a welcome sight for their eyes.
“I first came in contact during Beast. And so Beast is like basic training for freshmen at the Academy,” Carter said. “I just remember the only thing we had been getting was water. And so when we finally got something other than that, it was amazing because we weren’t getting much of anything. So it was awesome. Finally getting that delicious drink.”
Through Carter’s partnership with Hoist, proceeds from online sales will go towards Team RWB, a charity focusing on the mental and physical well-being of veterans.
“That’s definitely something that is, you know, really important because once you’re done serving in the military still have a lot of life ahead of you,” Carter said. “And we got to make sure that all our veterans are taken care of, and Team RWB is doing a great job of that.”
Like other graduates of Army, Carter will have to serve when he finishes his playing career. Carter says that when he enters, he’ll be a Field Artillery Officer, a field that intrigued him.
“I’m really excited about, once I’m done playing, I’ll then commission into the Army and do my service time that I committed to doing while I was at the academy,” Carter said. “So that’s something that I’m really excited about. Getting the opportunity to lead America sons and daughters. “
