​Owen Heinecke just locked down a massive NIL deal with Q-Collar. He’s now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with NFL stars, all focused on shielding players from brutal head impacts. The linebacker actually wore the device last year, hunting for better safety on his own terms. Now? He’s got a formal partnership to help others do the exact same thing. The brand told On3 that Heinecke and Notre Dame’s Drayk Bowen are the latest faces to join their roster. Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy also hopped on board just last month. All three athletes will rock the Q-Collar during actual game action. Smart move. This is a tactical play for a player who takes heavy hits every single week.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHeinecke didn’t wait for a contract to start using the gear. He saw it. NFL players like Dalton Kincaid were wearing the collar, and Heinecke took serious notice. He also played lacrosse, where the device is becoming mainstream for head safety. That exposure made him want to invest in the technology personally. He researched ways to protect himself from the hard hits that occur on the football field. The process has been great for his personal safety goals. He stated he would wear the Q-Collar regardless of any deal. The company simply reached out to formalize the relationship. He’s wearing it anyway.The deal covers specific actions and goals for the linebacker. Through the partnership, Owen Heinecke will help promote brain health via social media posts. He noted the ability to educate the younger generation about better protecting themselves. That’s the mission. This is a key part of his role with the company. He wants to show kids how to stay safe while playing hard. He told On3 via Zoom about his motivation to join the program. He saw Dalton Kincaid for the Buffalo Bills wearing the device. He also saw a couple other people in the league using it. That visibility drove his decision to try it out personally. He decided to try it out and it’s been a great process. Now he helps a growing group of athletes partner with the brand.Q-Collar has a strong list of partners already. NFL stars such as Kincaid, Sauce Gardner, Byron Murphy, and Tony Pollard have agreed to deals. These are recognizable names that fans trust. Heinecke joins this elite list of players focused on safety. The brand told On3 that these additions are significant for their roster. Heinecke recalled seeing NFL players wear Q-Collars as he researched protection. This led him to do the same for his own game. He has a little exposure to the device from his lacrosse days. He figured it was something that he was really wanting to invest in. He is grateful that Q-Collar reached out to him for the deal. There are a handful of people in the NFL wearing it now. A couple people in college are starting to wear it too. Heinecke will continue to wear it in every game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis move signals a major shift in how college players view safety. It