NFL's Vilma Now Thinking Like An MMA Guy

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vilma joins former UFC light heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans as a JACO brand ambassador.

“I discovered JACO after seeing it on some of the MMA guys, and I tried it, both in training and just in wearing it around in everyday life, and it performs,” said Vilma in a statement.

Vilma has missed the Saints last four games following knee surgery following an injury suffered in the second game of the season. He was involved in limited practice this week but is listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

According to JACO, Vilma and Evans will appear in marketing to support the 2012 release of a new line of athletic and protective wear, which will include a line of JACO athletic footwear “tailored specifically for hybrid training.”

“For my NFL workouts, JACO gives me the smooth fit that all athletes want, but it also allows for motion and movement, not restricting working muscles, which is so important in professional sports,” said Vilma. “I like it, it looks sharp, and I can relate to JACO.”

According to Glenn Robinson, CEO for JACO, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with such a talented athlete and gain his insight as we continue to craft the new JACO for hybrid training, and introduce it to the world in 2012. With Jonathan’s broad visibility and his depth of expertise as a high performance athlete, we are well on our way to establishing JACO as a major player in hybrid training.”

PHOTO: John Korduner/ICON SMI