Kansas State basketball star Keyontae Johnson signs new NIL deal filled with heart

Keyontae Johnson’s comeback story with the Kansas State men’s basketball team has been both inspiring and marketable.

The 6-foot-6 senior forward has signed several NIL deals during his lone season with the Wildcats, allowing him to do things like endorse food from McDonald’s on his social media accounts. But his latest NIL partnership is more meaningful to him than just money or exposure. It also helps a good cause that he can relate to, perhaps as well as any athlete on the planet.

On Tuesday, Johnson announced that he has partnered with Heartfelt, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to saving lives from preventable health situations such as Sudden Cardiac Arrest through early detection, education and increased public awareness.

The company has been around for 22 years and claims to have screened over 55,000 patients.

A NIL partnership with Heartfelt makes sense for Johnson because he famously collapsed during a game at Florida State in December of 2020 when he was playing for the Florida Gators. Johnson fell on the court because of a heart inflammation, and no one knew if he would make it through the night, let alone dribble a basketball again. He survived the incident and eventually returned to the hardwood this season as a transfer with the Wildcats.

But it took him years of testing and rehab to make sure it was safe for him to continue playing the game he loves.

Had he undergone a Heartfelt screening earlier in his life, perhaps that incident could have been avoided. That is what he wants for others.

“A lot of you might have known that I collapsed in a game on Dec. 12, 2020,” Johnson said in an advertisement to announce the NIL partnership. “But I’m beyond grateful that God gave me a second chance to play the game that I love. I’m not sure if you know, but Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the No. 1 cause of death on a school campus and is the No. 1 killer of student-athletes.

“I’m excited to announce that I have partnered with Heartfelt. Heartfelt is an organization that’s saved over 1,000 lives and helps individuals with early detection for heart issues. As a nonprofit, Heartfelt needs a financial offer to help with these services. Please donate and help spread the word.”

It is unclear if Johnson will receive any money for his latest NIL partnership or if he chose to do it pro bono simply to promote a good cause.

Either way, it seems like a perfect match.

Johnson has been one of the best stories in college basketball this season. Since returning to action, he has averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds for the No. 12 Wildcats, who are having one of their best years in recent memory.