Oregon State’s Damien Martinez becomes first ambassador for OBS Lifestyle Brand

Published: Jan. 11, 2023

By Sameer Kumar | The NIL Deal

Oregon State running back Damien Martinez is the first student-athlete to become an ambassador for OBS Lifestyle Brand, courtesy of an NIL deal.

The deal was facilitated by Dam Nation Collective, as they say that the partnership is “multi-layered” and in a position to provide other NIL opportunities for Beaver student-athletes.

OBS Co-Founder Steven Jackson, who is considered to be one of the best running backs to ever play for the Beavers, is an ambassador for Dam Nation.

“OBS strives to inspire those who see challenges as opportunities and personal triumphs as loudspeakers to encourage others to never give up,” Jackson said in a release. “A collaboration with Dam Nation allows for our message to be transformed into apparel and fashion, helping to project inspiring stories to be shared by OSU student-athletes.”

Martinez put forward a historic freshman season at Oregon State, as he helped the Beavers earn their third 10-win season in school history, Martinez was named to the Pac-12 first team and he was honored as the conference’s Offensive Freshman of the Year.

“I am very blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to work with OSU legend Steven Jackson, and I am honored to be named brand ambassador for OBS,” Martinez said in the statement. “I have an affinity for the brand’s mission and believe student-athletes understand that overcoming tough times is part of the journey to becoming great.”

There was talk that Martinez could enter the transfer portal, but Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith didn’t seem too worried when he recently spoke to The Oregonian.

“I think he’s pretty happy here,” Smith told the website. “But that’s the day and age of college football now that you’ve got to be aware of. We try to make it as good for him as possible here, and I think he appreciates how we operate.”