In May, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed announced an NIL deal with ENG Aviation Group. Through the agreement, he will not only gain access to ENG’s private jets, but also educate the public about organ donations.
Through the partnership, Reed was able to visit Houston Methodist Hospital and meet families who donated organs. It also gave him a chance to help raise awareness of how important organ donations are.
Reed discussed his involvement with organ donorship during an appearance on SportsCenter Thursday as part of the show’s “50 States in 50 Days” program. He hasn’t been as active as summer started to end and training camp started, but he reflected on the impact the platform has.
“I haven’t done too much towards the back end of the summer,” Reed said. “But earlier this summer, I went to Houston Methodist Hospital, which is about an hour away from where we are in College Station, and I kind of grew my knowledge in organ donorship. Got to meet some families who have donated an organ. … A lot of people have asked about it, and we were blessed as a family just to have the opportunity to even get a deal like that.
“There were others out there, but I think just ENG and their mission put something in my heart to want to have the platform to grow organ donorship in a way that will help a lot of people. That’s really what it is and I’m happy to be a part of the family.”
When Marcel Reed visited Houston Methodist, he also got to meet a patient named Peter Mpagi, who was an organ recipient. They had an interesting conversation, though. Mpagi is a former Texas football player and was proudly representing his Longhorns during the visit.
So when it came time to take a picture, Reed also showed his team colors. He swapped his ENG polo for a Texas A&M shirt – and made it a point to flash a “Horns Down,” as well.
“I got to meet Peter, who was an organ recipient,” Reed said. “Unfortunately, he was committed to Texas to play. We talked a little bit back and forth with that because you know it’s a rivalry. We took a picture at the end of the day. He had a Texas shirt on the whole day, I had an ENG polo on.
“I had to take my ENG polo off and rep my Aggies in that picture. Threw Horns Down a little bit, too. It’s just been a great opportunity.”
