The internet strikes again! Ten years after making a 9-year old boy viral, social media has helped the same young man land a deal with Popeye’s Chicken.

Dieunerst Collin, known to many as the ‘Popeyes meme kid,’ and now a freshman football player for Lake Erie College has just secured a NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the chicken chain.

In 2013, Collin inadvertently became a meme. As a young boy, he was holding a Popeyes drink cup and giving the side-eye as the cameraman teased him about his resemblance to the viral star Lil Terrio. The video took off, and Collin’s likeness appeared in memes expressing uncertainty or awkwardness.

And just like that, Collin became viral.

Fast forward to 2021, Collin won the state championship with East Orange Campus high school in New Jersey. Now, the 6-foot-1, 330-pound freshman is a Division II offensive lineman at Lake Erie College freshman. 

His accomplishments eventually caught the eye of a ‘Popeye’s meme kid’ supporter and he tweeted:

“If this guy doesn’t have an NIL deal by tomorrow, the Louisiana kitchen needs to clean house on upper management.” The overwhelming support grabbed Collin’s attention, who unofficially kicked off his campaign for an NIL deal.

Popeyes responded in agreement, tweeting “Let’s get this bread(ing).”

As for Collin’s football ambitions at that point, he told Complex, “Everyone wants to go pro. I want to go pro. Aside from that, I want to be a sports analyst. That’s all I talk about.”

We’re so happy Dieunerst Collin and wish him nothing but the best.

Congratulations!