Grant Becomes Face of EyeBlack Lacrosse Furthering the Company’s Growth Within the Sport
Rockville, Md. -- EyeBlack, the company that started a sports revolution by combining logos, phrases and bible verses with EyeBlack, today announced they have signed a multi-year partnership deal with All-World lacrosse player John Grant, Jr., making him the face of EyeBlack Lacrosse. EyeBlack will be creating a custom John Grant, Jr. product line and his image will be used for the company’s lacrosse retail sets.
The partnership with Grant furthers EyeBlack’s growth within the sport of lacrosse. EyeBlack has been an official licensee of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) since 2011 and produces products featuring the logos of all eight MLL teams available in their Original and Warrior shapes. Grant most recently signed with the Chesapeake Bayhawks of the MLL prior to the start of the 2012 season.
“John Grant, Jr. is one of the most talented lacrosse players in the sport’s history and proves that hard work, dedication and commitment is key to long term success. He personifies our motto “Play Tough, Play Smart,” said EyeBlack’s president and founder Peter Beveridge. “EyeBlack has always been involved with lacrosse, but with this partnership we are aiming to bring our impact and presence in the sport to a new level.”
Grant joins EyeBlack’s growing list of ambassadors that includes professional athletes such as Chicago Bears’ linebacker, Brian Urlacher, softball star Jennie Finch, professional tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. He becomes the first lacrosse player to partner with EyeBlack.
“EyeBlack creates a great product that combines glare reduction and representing my team. Lacrosse is about teamwork and EyeBlack is all about team unity and producing a world class product. This gives me an edge on the field and completes my uniform,” said Grant. “This is a great partnership for me and I look forward to serving as the ambassador for EyeBlack in the sport of lacrosse. Its functionality works for players of all ages and skill levels, and the fact that fans can sport EyeBlack in support of their favorite team is a great motivator on the field.”
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Grant played two years of college lacrosse at the University of Delaware after transferring from Junior College. He has had a highly successful professional lacrosse career in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
His NLL accolades include being named the NLL Rookie of the Year in 2000 and the 2007 NLL Most Valuable Player. Grant is coming off one of his best seasons as an NLL player setting a new single season record with 116 points and was named MVP for the second time in his career.
As an MLL player, Grant was selected by the Rochester Rattlers in 2001, the league’s inaugural season. In his first year he finished second in the league with 59 points (41 goals, 3 two-pointers, 15 assists), was named an MLL All-Star and earned league Offensive Player of the Year honors. In 2007, Grant broke the league's single-season points record with 71 points and was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second time. He was also awarded the 2007 Major League Lacrosse Most Valuable Player. In 2008, Grant led the league in scoring with 64 points (47 goals, 4 two-pointers, 13 assists) and was named the 2008 Bud Light Major League Lacrosse Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. Grant led the Rattlers to their first Steinfeld Trophy with a 16-6 win over Denver in the 2008 MLL Championship.
Internationally, Grant has been a fixture on the Canadian National Lacrosse team since 1998. In 2006, Grant helped lead Team Canada to an historic win in the ILF World Lacrosse Championships. He led the tournament in points and assists earning an All-World selection.
About EyeBlack
Based in Rockville, Md., EyeBlack produces patented, innovative, hardworking sports products that are used worldwide by athletes to boost their on‐field performance, while enabling fans to express their support for a team or specific athlete. EyeBlack manufactures products solely in the United States made from medical grade tape that is safe, tested and can breathe on the skin. EyeBlack is an official licensee of Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and has partnerships with many other professional athletes ranging from motorsports to the National Football League (NFL) players. Additionally, hundreds of collegiate programs are officially licensed and wear EyeBlack products. Away from the athletic fields, EyeBlack collaborates with a number of sponsors and non‐profit organizations to create customized products to help promote their respective brands. EyeBlack is available at an increasing number of retailers and at www.EyeBlack.com.