Star Quarterback Hendon Hooker is teaming up with Six Star Pro Nutrition to Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Through this special Walmart and Feeding America initiative, Hendon will be using his voice to stand up for those living with food insecurity—a number that is unfortunately on the rise in America.
Today, 1 in 5 children go to bed hungry each night, a 7.5% jump since 2021. To join the fight against hunger, Six Star Pro Nutrition will be donating the equivalent of 10 meals to hungry families across the nation for each bottle of SIXSTAR 100% Whey Protein Plus sold at Walmart between now and May 8th. SIXSTAR recently chatted with Hendon about his involvement with this important initiative, his college football career, and why high-quality nutrition is so important to him.
For those of you who want to know a little more about this rising star, Hendon kicked off his college football career in Virginia before transferring to Tennessee in 2021. As the starting quarterback for Tennessee, he was instrumental in helping the team achieve an 11-win season—the most on record since 2001, matching the second most wins in the school’s history.
In 2022, Hendon threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns – with only two interceptions. His dominance led to him being named Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He also set a school record at Tennessee throwing 261 passes without an interception.
SIXSTAR: Why did you decide to team up with SIXSTAR in order to Fight Hunger. Spark Change. through the Walmart and Feeding America initiative that’s taking place from now through May 8th?
Hendon: “I want to be a positive light in people's lives and in the community. Giving back and making sure that the people that need things are serviced too—and not just looked over or passed over is important. It's a blessing to be given this opportunity to be a blessing to someone else.
When we work together to fight hunger, we help make our communities stronger and create real and lasting change. That’s why I am excited and honored to team up with Six Star to promote their Feeding America campaign at Walmart this month.”
SIXSTAR: What’s your nutrition program like these days and how has it evolved through the years – from a kid to an elite athlete now?
Hendon: “From a young age, I've always been a huge fan of vegetables and eating healthy. Growing up, my sister didn't eat anything but salads. That was her thing. So, the two of us grew up wanting to be healthy and feeling good. The older I got, I just wanted my body to feel good, and putting good things in it is how I'm able to achieve that.”
SIXSTAR: When did you start incorporating protein into your nutrition plan?
Hendon: “My dad introduced protein to us. I was going into the 8th grade, and my brother and I started taking protein shakes every morning. I grew four inches during that time.” (Smiling)
SIXSTAR: Why is it so important for you to make sure that you're having fun when you’re out there playing football?
Hendon: “I remember getting here [Tennessee] and anytime we played, I would have a serious face on. Coach Heupel would always encourage me to have fun before the scrimmages. Before the first one, he knew how locked in I wanted to be, but he said, ‘Man, go out there, have fun. Have a good time and enjoy the process.’ And I retained that.
I remember playing basketball in front of the coaches and they were like, ‘You play really loose and just have fun. Just do that when you play football—and when you do that—you're a scary player to play against.’ So, by having fun and being confident in what I'm doing, it takes my game to another level. Just being loose.”
SIXSTAR: Why did the Alabama game mean so much to you and what did it mean to the community?
Hendon: “It was extremely fun to play. Probably one of the funnest games I’ve played in. Just from us being dialed in as a team—and we didn't have too many mistakes—and when we did, we came back and made them pay.
It was also my dad's birthday, and all he wanted for his birthday was a win. So, it was very special. I remember running to my parents through the crowd of students and people on the field, and I'm looking for my dad and I was told, ‘Oh, he already ran on the field!’ And I'm like, ‘Oh, my goodness!’
It took me like an hour just to find them and get them to the locker room. We had all the parents and recruits in there from the team. So, those were surreal moments for all of our families to enjoy. It's rare you get to have your parents in a locker room after a game. That was so cool to have.”
Join us and Hendon Hooker in providing healthy meals to those in need. Visit your local Walmart to get your Six Star Pro 100% Whey Protein Plus and help to Fight Hunger. Spark Change.
*The links used in this article are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Iovate Health Sciences International Inc. or any of its affiliates (“Iovate”) of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Iovate bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
