Some people think the creator of the “Corbello for Heisman” T-shirts seen on game days should enjoy his 15 minutes of fame while he can.
But Kenny Bernhard, who is marketing the shirts pushing his senior place-kicker roommate for the award, is just getting started.
“I really want to be governor someday,” he said with a smile.
The construction management senior placed his first T-shirt order at the beginning of the football season for himself and his friends. About 180 shirts now are in circulation.
Bernhard has shipped shirts throughout the country — from Washington, D.C. to Texas — and even to London.
“I can’t believe I’m getting international attention,” he said. “I really didn’t think it would be this big.”
The shirts feature the outline of a player in a Heisman Trophy pose next to Corbello’s jersey number on the front and the slogan “Corbello for Heisman” on the back. They sell for $15 each, Bernhard said.
“I think they look really cool,” said Mandy Gros, a civil engineering junior who has seen fans sporting the shirts. “But I think that’s kind of high for a T-shirt.”
Because of NCAA rules prohibiting Corbello from benefitting from the T-shirt sales, Bernhard said he only makes more shirts with his profits.
“I don’t want the NCAA to consider John ineligible,” Bernhard said. “I’m doing this for him, not for me.”
Since he began selling the shirts, Bernhard’s story has appeared in The Advocate, Purple & Gold magazine, and on ESPN, ESPN2, WBRZ and the front page of the Times-Picayune’s sports section.
Local and national figures such as district attorney Doug Moreau and ABC sportscaster Bob Griese have requested shirts, Bernhard said.
But “Britney Spears still hasn’t called me for a shirt,” he said half-jokingly.
Ever since Corbello began kicking for the Tigers as a true freshman, Bernhard has teased his best friend about his abilities.
“[My other roommate and I] told him he was horrible and pathetic,” he said. “A lot of rude things came out of our mouths, but we just wanted to keep his head small.”
This year Corbello’s friends decided to support him, Bernhard said.
“People don’t give him credit,” Bernhard said. “He’s scored more than anyone on the team this year.”
The second-highest scorer in the SEC with 67 points, Corbello’s main concern is living up to his abilities and performing well for his team, Bernhard said.
Brent Johnson, an accounting freshman, said he admires Corbello for all he has accomplished.
“I think a T-shirt endorsing him is a great idea,” Johnson said. “He really does a lot for the team, but not many people realize it because they just think of him as the kicker.”
Other players have asked Bernhard to design shirts for themselves.
Domanick Davis requested an original shirt. Bernhard said he thought of the saying, “Your team doesn’t have a bra big enough for our double-D.”
Even though Bernhard is tempted to back Corbello’s teammates, he said he will stick with the Heisman T-shirts for now.
The Lafayette native said his parents are proud of his success but think he should have printed business cards to distribute with the shirts.
“That’s the one time I should’ve listened to my mom,” he said.
Despite the fact that he began selling the shirts as a joke, Bernhard said Corbello may be the first kicker in history to receive votes for the Heisman trophy.
Bernhard’s next goal is for Winn-Dixie to choose his tailgating party as its weekly “Tailgaters of the Game.”
“Then we’d have a complete season,” he said.
Tigers fans interested in purchasing T-shirts can e-mail their orders to kennethbernhard@ yahoo.com.