In the NFL, fame and stardom are emphasised as being achieved on the field. Yet, so much of a sports star’s life now can hinge on social media followings and other exploits that take them from being an NFL player to becoming a mainstream celebrity.
So, while many fans crave the gaming experience at NFL stadiums, many players seek to make the most of the reach of social media and get in on major brands as many of their fans do. A prime example of getting this going very early comes in the form of Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell. A noted speedster and big-time playmaker, Dell is already working hard to become a presence beyond the field and even in fashion.
A lot of potential to be an NFL star
Tank Dell is only in his second NFL season right now. He stands 5’10’’ and 165 lbs, with much of his ability coming from his incredible speed before and after the catch. In his first season, he only started eight games, but put up seven touchdowns and 709 yards. Even in that relatively small sample, Dell met and broke many records for the Texans franchise, including the most receiving yards through his first nine games.
So, it won’t come as a surprise that Dell was considered by many to be among the best rookies in NFL games last season. A season-ending fracture landed him on the injured reserve, yet he did enough to prove himself to be a top-tier threat for the Texans. His 15.1 yards per catch and 64.5 yards per game had him in the top three of both stat lines for rookie wide receivers, setting high expectations for his future.
This season, he only mustered one start from the first four games. Again, injury is to blame. At one point, he was said to be suffering from a hand, wrist, and chest injury. Naturally, with enough time, any player can recover from injuries and suddenly play a whole campaign without much more than a few limited practices due to slight niggles. Yet, it’s the nature of the league to see most careers cut short, so it makes sense to branch out swiftly, as Dell has.
Branching into fashion
Tank Dell will make a name for himself on the gridiron, but given how injuries disrupt careers – and have already impacted his own – it’s wise to branch out with the cash earned from the big NFL contracts given out. Dell has become a fan favourite quickly in Houston, and he’s grown his fandom through appearances without a jersey on, including by being the first-ever guest on Chase-B’s exclusive Texans podcast, The Shuffle.
On the podcast, Dell discussed his aspirations and other topics close to him, such as fashion and music. Fashion is certainly a route that Dell pursues, as he even has his own official store and branding. The TD brand is strewn across vintage t-shirts, jersey shirts, hoodies, joggers, shorts, and caps on the Tank Dell Official Store, and he’s been seen teaming up with brands beyond his own, like Eternal Flare.
Social media is, naturally, a big part of the lives of sportspeople who seek to tap into its potential and reach. Dell, under the name Flash1x, has collected over 30,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), nearly 70,000 on TikTok, and a mighty 511,000 followers on his main platform, Instagram. So, whenever he releases a new piece to his clothing line or collaborates with another fashion brand, he’ll be able to reach at least 511,000 people with each post.
Tank Dell looks to be a star in the making in the NFL, but he’s being wise and branching out into fashion where the opportunities arise, helping to cement his status beyond the gridiron.
