Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott recently applied for five trademarks involving his nicknames, according to the Associated Press. Based on records in the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, Elliott filed trademark requests Aug. 7 to use his nicknames “Zeke” and “Eze” on merchandise, the sayings “Hero in a half shirt” and “In crop top we trust” on apparel, as well as “Zeke’s Crop Top Bar and Grill” for a restaurant name. Both the Buckeyes’ junior and his father were unavailable for comment on the topic. Elliott is not the first college player to explore trademarking. Last fall, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott applied for a trademark on his name, as well as the phrases “Dak Attack” and “Who Dak.” • THAMEL: Being Dak Prescott “I’m not doing anything with them now,” Prescott told the Associated Press. “But when I get done playing in college, I have the option of using them.” Heisman Trophy winners Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston also pursued trademarking rights during their college football days. Manziel trademarked “Johnny Football” in 2013, in the midst of legal issues with a company that was selling T-shirts with the nickname on them. The NCAA presently forbids current student-athletes from making money off their names and likenesses. – Kayla Lombardo
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