After transferring to the Washington Huskies from the Indiana Hoosiers over the offseason, Michael Penix Jr. is a darkhorse Heisman Trophy contender after throwing for over 300 yards in each of his first three games of the season. And now he’s got a hilarious new shirt for sale to help build the hype.
In a NIL collaboration with Simply Seattle, Penix is selling “BI9 PENIX ENERGY” shirts, making use of his last name for a hilarious innuendo.
🚨 BREAKING: Simply Seattle x Michael Penix
We're PUMPED to announce our NIL partnership with the Huskies' QB on the OFFICIAL Big Penix Energy t-shirt.
Tees are printing tomorrow evening. Dawgs fans – see you Saturday: https://t.co/G5vA3P9WoQ pic.twitter.com/gQWNqQUTxr
— simplyseattle (@simplyseattle) September 22, 2022
The shirt comes after former Baylor Bears Heisman Trophy winner and longtime NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III used the phrase during the broadcast of Washington’s blowout win over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday.
Naturally, the college football world had plenty to say about the incredible and hilarious shirts, with many taking to Twitter to share their reactions.
Michael Penix is receiving a 50/50 profit share on each of these $25 t-shirts.
He will make more per tee sold than an athlete would earn on a $140 jersey sale through the OneTeam/Fanatics arrangement. #NIL https://t.co/EkoSEmp4aU
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) September 22, 2022
One week after ripping Michigan State to shreds, and a few clever lines from @RGIII on the broadcast, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has some new merch https://t.co/coouGeS5Ju
— Laine Higgins (@lainehiggins17) September 23, 2022
That … is certainly a shirt https://t.co/1hrjnVsqqI
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) September 22, 2022
Folks. https://t.co/EkvnwQSsju
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) September 22, 2022
https://t.co/mCXMBDhf0N pic.twitter.com/ToNvykS47Q
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 22, 2022
— De UW Dawg Pound (@UWonSBN) September 22, 2022
The attention Penix has earned the past few weeks has been well deserved. In just three games, he’s thrown for 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns, and just one interception while completing 66 percent of his passes.
Penix isn’t the only player to cash in with a hilariously fitting NIL deal. Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson’s new mustard brand called “Bijan Mustardson” while several offensive linemen were given Hooters endorsement deals, including a player literally named “Wing.”