Say this for Johnny Manziel: at least he put in a full season at Texas A&M before applying for trademark rights to his nickname. Kenny Hill is circling the trademark wagons after just two games.
The parents of Texas A&M's new starting quarterback have reportedly filed for trademark rights to his nickname, "Kenny Trill," which was bestowed upon him in the wake of his first career start at South Carolina two weeks ago. Hill threw for a school-record 511 yards against the Gamecocks, knocking Manziel off the top of the Aggies record books and establishing himself as Texas A&M's most popular athlete in a single evening. According to urbandictionary.com, "Trill" is "used in hip-hop culture to describe someone who is considered to be well respected, coming from a combination of the words 'true' and 'real.'"
An image of his application even made the social media rounds:
Manziel had to battle for trademark rights to his nickname, Johnny Football, but eventually won that legal wrangle and trademark rights to several other Manziel-related phrases, as well. And like Manziel, the trademark rights to the nickname are already in dispute. Reportedly, a Metairie, La., resident applied for the trademark, as well. As a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most polarizing figures in college sports to come along in years, there is little doubt Manziel had a legitimate financial interest in protecting his right to the nickname.
The same can't be said for Hill -- not yet, anyway. But apparently, no time is too soon.
The sophomore won the battle to replace Manziel over true freshman Kyle Allen in the last week of the preseason. After his dazzling performance against the Gamecocks, Hill was also impressive in a 73-3 trouncing of Lamar in which he threw four touchdown passes while barely playing more than a half.
It will take more wins like the one over South Carolina, however, for "Kenny Trill" merchandise to really fly off the shelves.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
