Great Falls' Troy Ross now a brand ambassador for other kids who need help
Troy Ross is just beginning his athletic career, but the Great Falls elementary student has already earned his first endorsement deal.
And it all goes to a cause near and dear to Troy and his family.
Troy, who at age 3 in 2017 was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease, recently joined HOLO Brand as a junior Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) ambassador. Through the partnership, HOLO is selling Nike and BSN Sports athleticwear featuring the Ross family’s “TroyStrong” logo through May 23.
All of the proceeds from the NIL partnership go toward charitable works chosen by Troy, such as the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
HOLO Brand, standing for “Hope and Love,” was founded by Great Falls native Luc Swensson, who now lives in Boise. The goal of the foundation is to “show kids that anything is possible, and to follow their dreams.
“The mission of my foundation is to help kids believe in themselves and understand that anything is possible no matter their circumstance,” Swensson said on his website.
Swensson also the found of the I Love This Life Foundation, through which he speaks at schools on topics such as self-esteem, mental health, bullying and teen suicide.
“The minute I met Troy and heard his story about overcoming his rare autoimmune disease I knew I wanted to help,” Swensson said in a release. “This partnership is twofold. First and foremost, I want to include Troy’s story in all of my assemblies since he is such an incredible inspiration. I will work tirelessly to help Troy and his family spread their #TROYSTRONG blood drive message and event details. The other part is to celebrate Troy and his desire to help others. His goal is to help those who helped him by donating all the proceeds of this collaboration to the charities of his choosing. I think the most powerful part of this project is getting kids to understand the importance of supporting their peers and learning to give back at such an early age.”
Swensson also has an NIL agreement with Montana State University star quarterback Tommy Mellott, “Project 988,” with the goal of promoting mental health.
Troy, now 8 years old and a second-grader at Riverview Elementary School, was airlifted to Seattle on Labor Day in 2017, needing transfusions to replace 75 percent of the blood in his body. He spent several weeks at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and over a week on a ventilator. He was diagnosed as in remission in November of 2021 and has since had a chest port for delivering transfusions and medications removed, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Troy’s mother Callie is a teacher at Riverview Elementary and his father Wes is a businessman and former football coach at Great Falls High and Great Falls Central. The Ross family over the years has helped organize blood drives with the Red Cross all across the state. Troy is very active in local sports, participating in football, baseball and basketball, according to Callie's Twitter account @MTtroystrong.
To purchase TroyStrong gear and support the cause, visit bsnteamsports.com/shop/troystrong.
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls' Troy Ross' NIL deal to benefit charities
