Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte is showing other athletes that sometimes it is just as nice to give some of the NIL money back. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Name, image and likeness, or NIL, continues to be a huge talking point in college sports as athletes are earning more than they every have. But one University of Louisville […]
Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte is showing other athletes that sometimes it is just as nice to give some of the NIL money back.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Name, image and likeness, or NIL, continues to be a huge talking point in college sports as athletes are earning more than they every have.
But one University of Louisville football player is doing something a little different with his money.
Quarterbacks are thankful that Louisville’s star defensive lineman, Ashton Gillotte, has finally declared for the NFL Draft.
“I feel like a part of my heart will always be in Louisville,” he said. “It’s been a good experience. Been a great experience, actually.”
But in his four seasons with the Cardinals, the Florida native has shown his thanks in a different way. Now, in today’s world of college football, a big time player like Gillotte means big time NIL, but is he spending that on a fancy car or fancy clothes?
No, he’s spending most of it at places like the Lord’s Kitchen Ministries.
Gillotte spends a lot of time at the food distribution center doing things like preparing food and wrapping presents for kids.
“This is like high pressure gift wrap,” he said. “What we doing, y’all and handing out goods to the less fortunate. Cities just treated me right, and obviously they welcomed me with open arms and just being able to do the same thing back is something I feel is crucial.”
“You know, personally, it means the world to me,” Joni Votaw, The Lord’s Kitchen executive director, said. “I have three boys of my own that play sports, and I know the mentality and the culture he’s here ongoing throughout the year. It’s not just a one time thing. It’s not just during the holidays. I mean, him and his family are here. What do you do using the platform we have, especially with name, image and lightness, is just you’re more than just a football player in a lot of aspects. So just again, trying to love on your community, what they do here is just special.”
And much like football, giving back takes a team.
“I mean, this just shows everything about him, like it’s not just all about football,” Louisville offensive lineman Michael Gonzalez said. “To him, he wants to give back. And, you know, I’m saying, give to those that need, and that’s one thing that he’s done a great job of since he got here.”
Gillotte doesn’t want any fame or glory from his volunteer work.
“I just want to, again, get people in a world that’s so confrontational or in so much conflict, just for people to have open hearts for each other and just be able to love on each other,” he said. “That’s kind of what I would like my image to be, or my, my legacy to be.”
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