Texans Rookie Will Anderson Jr. Partners with New Brand
On the field, Houston Texans rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is a force to be reckoned with.
It's not just his size that makes him dangerous from the jump, but also his speed. His ability to make his first move in a way that gets him instantly closer to the quarterback and eventually — to recording a sack.
Standing at 6-4 and weighing 243 pounds, it's no secret why Anderson Jr. was such a highly touted prospect coming out of Alabama. He was a player that almost every team looked at throughout the NFL Draft process, and certainly was a player that those teams knew would be hard to get.
The Texans made sure they did, and through two games this season, Anderson Jr. has made his mark. He's one of just seven rookies to record a full sack and sits in the top 10 for total tackles among all first-years. But that's just on the field.
Off the field, Anderson Jr. is looking to leave that same kind of impact. One that sets him apart from the rest in a different way. That's where Klutch Athletics comes in.
Photos provided by Klutch Athletics
In Anderson Jr.'s most recent partnership, he and sports agent Rich Paul's new line of athleisure wear worked together to not only create merchandise, but represent a new era of what the rookie called "off-field athlete representation."
“It's truly a blessing to be working with the Klutch Athletics by New Balance team, representing the brand and helping it achieve its goal of supporting athletes,” Anderson Jr. said. “I’m excited to make a splash by showcasing the brand’s high-performance athletic gear and how it is second-to-none for off-the-field style and athlete representation.”
Since the brand's official launch back in February, Klutch Athletics has been making noise in the sportswear market, and not just because it was backed up by Paul.
Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young was the first american football player to join the team, sporting the brand during the offseason and advocating for its values. Now, Anderson Jr. is the second.
“At New Balance, living at the intersection of sport and culture is a top priority,” New Balance Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Merchandising Chris Davis said. “Having two of the most dominant athletes in the league is an ideal foundation to establish the Klutch Athletics by New Balance brand."
Part of Young's partnership included a field day with the Kansas City Boys and Girls Club, where he was able to help provide sporting equipment to children who needed it, which Davis said is the next step for Anderson Jr. and Klutch Athletics.
"We are excited to implement Will into the development and testing processes of our new Football cleats launching in 2024, as well as integrating him in communal activation to promote sport to youth across the country," Davis said.
For starters, Anderson Jr. will be hosting a meet and greet Tuesday evening at Dick's Sporting Goods' Katy location, giving fans a chance to meet him and learn more about the brand. The event may just be an hour-and-a-half — running from 6 to 7:30 p.m. — but it's a chance for the rookie to change the lives of some young athletes.
And for both Anderson Jr. and Paul, that's more than enough.
“Will’s values, his performance off-and-on the field, and his style perfectly align with the brand," Paul said. "Like Chase Young, I see Will as an embodiment of what it means to be Klutch. He will put a great emphasis on uplifting and empowering all athletes, no matter their background.”
