Seminole Star Turns Personal Loss Into Purposeful Legacy
Former Florida State basketball standout Phil Cofer has made headlines for an incredible act of selflessness, announcing he has declined a $750,000 endorsement deal with Adidas to instead launch a new NIL fund honoring his late father, Michael Cofer, a former NFL linebacker and lifelong supporter of his son’s journey.
The newly formed initiative, called the Michael Cofer Legacy NIL Fund, will provide financial support to current FSU student-athletes from underprivileged backgrounds, focusing on those who face personal or family hardships while trying to balance academic and athletic excellence.
“I was grateful for the Adidas offer,” Cofer said in an emotional press statement. “But something didn’t sit right. I kept thinking—what would my dad do? He’d tell me to give back, to help someone who doesn’t have a voice yet. So that’s what I’m doing.”
The $750,000 deal was reportedly set to make Cofer the face of an upcoming lifestyle line targeting college athletes and recent graduates. Instead, he has redirected his attention—and energy—toward building a legacy that will benefit others long after the cameras are gone.
Cofer, who played at FSU from 2014 to 2019 and helped guide the Seminoles to multiple NCAA Tournament runs, became a fan favorite not only for his on-court grit but for his perseverance. During the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Cofer played through immense personal pain following the sudden death of his father—a moment that forever connected him to the heart of Seminole Nation.
“This isn’t just a fund,” Cofer said. “It’s a promise that no FSU athlete will have to walk through struggle alone if I can help it.”
The Michael Cofer Legacy NIL Fund will offer emergency grants, NIL support, and mentoring opportunities for athletes navigating hardship, particularly those who are walk-ons, transfers, or coming from low-income homes.
FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford praised the gesture as “one of the most selfless acts we’ve ever seen from a former student-athlete.”
“Phil is what being a Seminole is all about,” Alford added. “Resilience, integrity, and putting others before yourself.”
Cofer plans to personally mentor athletes selected to receive NIL support through the fund.
“I don’t need a billboard,” Cofer said. “I just want my dad’s name to live on—in the best way possible.”
