Could Rae Carruth Be in for a Nike Deal?

• Rae Carruth was released this week after serving 18 years in a North Carolina prison
• The 1997 first-round draft pick was convicted of planning the murder of his pregnant girlfriend
• The NFL still bars the sale of team jerseys bearing Carruth’s name

Old wounds were reopened earlier this week as former NFL first-round pick Rae Carruth was released from a North Carolina prison after serving 18 years of a maximum 24-year sentence for his role in the 1999 murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.

Will Rae Carruth Violate His Probation?

Inked to a lucrative four-year, $3.7 million contract after being taken 27th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, Carruth had money in mind when he hired an associate to gun down Adams in her car to avoid paying child support for the baby she was carrying. Doctors managed to deliver the child prior to Adams’ death, but not before the infant suffered permanent brain damage.

Carruth Subject to Supervision during 9-Month Post-Release period

As part of the terms of his release, Carruth must meet with authorities wherever he chooses to live for a nine-month period. While Carruth will need special permission to leave the state of North Carolina during that post-release period, he is expected to toe the line, with the 44-year-old pegged as a -300 bet to not violate the terms of his release.

Carruth will serve nine months post-release supervision, according to Jerry Higgins, spokesman for North Carolina Department of Corrections. Higgins said Carruth is required to perform regular check-ins with his parole officer as a part of his… https://t.co/UogD0sQ0Aw

— Juan Milton de Leon (@JuanMilton) October 22, 2018

Carruth earned academic All-Big 12 honors while taking an English-Education double major during his four years at the University of Colorado, but a teaching career is unlikely.

With a future in the NFL most likely out of the question, it remains unclear how the 44-year-old will reintegrate into society as a free man. Carruth earned academic All-Big 12 honors while taking an English-Education double major during his four years at the University of Colorado. With little likelihood of any teaching job offers coming his way anytime soon, Carruth may eventually fall back on the skill he picked up behind bars – cutting hair.

Rae Carruth Nike Endorsement Odds

A Possible Return to Celebrity for the Convicted Killer

But after the former Carolina Panthers star was reportedly met with applause by some members of the crowd gathered on Monday morning to witness his release from prison, a return to celebrity status may not be out of the question for the native of Sacramento, California.

Every journalist hopes to find a story that fascinates them for years. This one is mine.
“Carruth” is now an online series, a documentary & a 7-part podcast. It’s a murder mystery and a love story, told in a way you’ve never heard it before. Find it here:https://t.co/dD10bgs61y

— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) October 16, 2018

With public interest in Carruth and his crimes remaining high even after almost two decades, rumors of a potential book deal have persisted. The former wide receiver’s release has received extensive media coverage and has been met with an emotional response on Twitter, with most commenters expressing disgust at his return to society.

Parallels with OJ Simpson

But as OJ Simpson has proven, there will always be a market for celebrities, even those who’ve gained their notoriety at the expense of other people’s lives.

OJ Simpson making Hollywood return? The Juice lands $20K movie deal with Sacha Baron Cohen https://t.co/013WZ5p9Fx pic.twitter.com/Mjb5e7wriw

— Calgary Sun (@calgarysun) February 13, 2018

The Juice sought to cash in with a book deal in the years following his acquittal on murder charges in 1994. Simpson’s autograph has also been in high demand among fans willing to pay top dollar. In addition, British comedian Sascha Baron Cohen reportedly paid the former Heisman Trophy $20,000 to appear in an upcoming film.

Carruth Jerseys Barred by NFL

While it remains to be seen how Carruth will eke out a living outside prison walls, it has become clear it will not be by selling NFL jerseys. The league has taken steps to ensure no official gear leaves the NFL store adorned with the convicted killer’s name, contributing to lengthy +5000 odds that Carruth will be featured in an ad campaign for Nike, the current manufacturer of NFL jerseys.

If, for some reason, anyone wanted a Carruth jersey, the NFL Custom Shop is having none of it! https://t.co/GGtQmUcA3W

— CW39Houston (@CW39Houston) October 23, 2018

And while Carruth proved elusive while on the run ahead of his 1999 arrest in connection with Adams’ murder, he remains a distant +10000 longshot to turn that footwork into a signature shoe deal with Nike between now and 2020.