Name Image and Likeness deals have trickled into Northern Kentucky, with two of the most accomplished former-prep football stars from the area inking a deal with Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
Michael Mayer, a tight end for Notre Dame, and his brother A.J., a quarterback with Arkansas State, both starred for Covington Catholic High School in the late 2010s, leading the Colonels to multiple state championships.
Both Michael and A.J. have a history with Beacon where they were both treated for various injuries throughout their football careers.
“I have been going to Beacon since I was a young kid, so I know they have top notch physicians and quality people,” said Michael.
A.J. echoed that message, saying the employees at Beacon always treated him with respect, and that he valued their impact on his community.
“I want to tell people how well I was treated at Beacon, as well as how much Beacon gives back to the community by treating people when they are injured or need surgery,” A.J. said. “I really appreciate Beacon working with me and Michael. It is like we are coming home and telling the community about these great people we know. It is an honor to be part of the Beacon team.”
Beacon Orthopaedics spine surgeon Michael Rohmiller, M.D., also a Covington Catholic graduate and Northern Kentucky resident, has known and treated members of the Mayer family for years.
“They are a wonderful family, and I knew that Michael and A.J. – with all that they have accomplished and with what wonderful young men they are – would be tremendous representatives of what we do at Beacon particularly as they talk about their personal experiences with us,” Dr. Rohmiller said.
A relatively new development in the world of college sports, NIL agreements allow student athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness. College athletes can now sign endorsement contracts based on this.
“NIL is great for athletes because it allows a player to build a personal brand and earn some money while still in school,” A.J. Mayer said. “And the fact that I get to work with my brother through our agreement with Beacon makes this even better.”
Michael Mayer said NIL agreements give student athletes real world experience and opportunities.
“This NIL agreement gives us a great chance to learn more about the business side of sports as well as an opportunity to make some money while we are playing,” he said. “Overall, NIL has been good for student athletes.”
While playing for the Colonels, Michael was named the 2019 Gatorade Kentucky Football Player of the Year and led Covington Catholic to the 5A state championship. During his senior season he caught 49 passes and scored 15 touchdowns; on defense, he recorded 102.5 tackles and had four interceptions, including one for a touchdown.
Mayer is entering his junior season for the Fighting Irish. He begins this season as a pre-season All-American. Last season, Michael caught 71 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns last year as a sophomore. He was named a semifinalist for the prestigious John Mackey Award which goes to the nation’s top tight end.
Mayer has been projected as a potential first round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft. His burgeoning national notoriety playing for one of college football’s top programs gives Beacon a star to help advertise their brand.
“I am really looking forward to telling people about all the good work they do,” Michael said. “When I was offered a chance to work with Beacon, I felt like it was an opportunity I just had to jump on because I believe so much in what they do and how they do it.”
A.J. is a different player than Michael, opting for throwing the rock instead of catching it. In high school, A.J. was one of the top prep quarterbacks in Kentucky.
Known for a strong arm and quick feet, A.J. led the Colonels to the 2017 Kentucky 5A State Championship, throwing for 3,114 yards and 40 touchdowns while leading CovCath to an undefeated 15-0 season. He was named MVP of the state championship game and graduated as CovCath’s all-time leading passer. He committed to Miami of Ohio after his senior season.
At Miami of Ohio, A.J. started four games and saw action in seven. One of his career highlights was coming off the bench to throw three touchdowns in leading the Redhawks to a victory over Ball State. A.J is now a Arkansas State.
Aligning with accomplished athletes such as the Mayer brothers provides a chance for Beacon Orthopaedics to showcase its expertise in sports injuries as well as promote how it develops long-term patient relationships.
“Beacon is known throughout the region as the premier sports medicine provider,” said Beacon Orthopaedics Co-Founder and Chief Orthopedic Surgeon for the Cincinnati Reds Tim Kremchek, M.D. “We are eager for Michael and A.J. – two of Greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished student athletes – to tell their stories of being treated at Beacon, but also of how we have treated members of their family for years.”
Beacon co-founder and Orthopaedics surgeon Robert Burger, M.D., was an offensive lineman on Notre Dame’s 1977 national championship team and has treated high school athletes in Greater Cincinnati for more than 30 years.
“I am very excited that Beacon and Michael Mayer are working together,” Dr. Burger said. “I watched Michael play in high school, and I’m very proud of him and very happy for his success as a local student athlete who has excelled on as well as off the field. When I first saw him play, I knew he was going places. He is a special kind of player.”
Both Mayer brothers will be in action this Saturday. Michael and Notre Dame play The Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus while A.J. – a graduate transfer from Miami of Ohio – and Arkansas State hosts Grambling State.
