Iowa football center Tyler Linderbaum donated $30,000 he raised under the new name, image and likeness earnings rules to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Linderbaum’s mother Lisa Linderbaum tweeted a photo of the donation Dec. 19, saying “He kinda did a thing.”
The hospital in Iowa City sits adjacent to Kinnick Stadium. In 2017, Iowa started a tradition in which players and fans wave to kids watching from the hospital, according to Sports Illustrated.Â
Players normally visit children in the hospital, but can’t currently because of COVID-19 restrictions. Linderbaum initially didn’t pursue earning extra income during the NCAA’s new name, image and likeness rules. But midway through the season, he decided to show his support by hosting a fundraiser, Sports Illustrated reported.
His family had created and worn “Baum Squad” T-shirts and sweatshirts during his career at Iowa, so he decided to sell the apparel online along with other clothing and accessories, hawk Central reported. “The Baum Squad” shirt includes a design of Linderbuam waiving to the hospital in his No. 65 Hawkeye jersey. Â
He set up a website to sell the merchandise with all profits going to the hospital. His final total was a $30,000 check presented to the hospital.
Linderbaum is expected to be a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The junior was named a unanimous All-American in 2021 and earned All-Big Ten honors in each of the last two seasons.
