Four Iowa State University football players have gone viral on social media. Through an NIL (name, image, likeness) deal, Cyclones Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon are leading the new “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” marketing campaign.
“It’s a really crazy way to incorporate all of our names and I think it’s a great way to promote Iowa pork producers, too,” says Cyclone Tight End Moore, a redshirt sophomore from Des Moines, Iowa.
Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) President Trish Cook says this was one opportunity IPPA couldn’t pass up. Their goal? Push more Iowans to buy pork products. More specifically, purchase more ham and bacon.
“After the ‘Hamann Bacon’ photo went viral on social media following the Cyclones’ season opener, we knew we had to jump on this opportunity,” Cook says. “These four young men are not only great football players, they also have strong academic records, and great last names! We couldn’t be more excited to work with them in this fun initiative to publicize Iowa pork.”
October is National Pork Month, aka Porktober, and IPPA announced this promotion will be part of that monthlong celebration. Not only will IPPA run ads on social media featuring the four players surrounded by delicious Iowa pork, but they will also strategically use their names to encourage pork consumption.
In conjunction with the NIL partnership, IPPA will donate $1,000 of pork to each player’s food pantry of choice.
“Iowa pork producers and pig farmers care about their communities, and while this partnership is a fun way to promote our industry, it’s also one way we can give back,” Cook says. “Food insecurity remains an issue for many people and we’re glad to partner with these Cyclone football players to help their local food pantries.”
Purchase, Moore and Bacon were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022. Hamann was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2022. IPPA said it is pleased to work with these student-athletes to promote pork and the work of Iowa pig farmers, while aiding local communities.
“It’s something unique and it feels good to be able to do something for a good cause,” Cyclones Defensive Back Purchase, a junior from Denver, Colo., says in a release.
When the picture of Hamann and Bacon together on the field first went viral on social media, the players had several friends sharing the photo with them.
“I think it’s just hilarious being able to use play-on words on our last names in a super clever way to promote Iowa pork and it’s just an all-around great opportunity to bring us all together,” says Hamann, a redshirt freshman defensive end for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Bacon admits he’s heard jokes about his last name for much of his life.
“People said I should take advantage of it, and it just came to fruition in that picture. I think it’s just good for our teammates and I’d like to thank the Iowa pork producers for the opportunity,” Bacon says. He is a sophomore linebacker from Lake Mills, Iowa.
Iowa is the number one state in the nation for pork production and nearly 150,000 Iowans are employed by the pork industry.
Check out the 15-second “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” video.
