Ever since the Cowboys selected Taco Charlton in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, North Texas has expected the defensive end to capitalize on the marketing opportunities.

There it is! Taco Bueno announces partnership with Cowboys DE Taco Charlton. Same chain that issued statement welcoming him to town in April

The deal brings to mind The News' headline the morning after the Cowboys drafted Charlton - "Taco Bueno!" running across the SportsDay print edition while leading off the web headline as well. Roper mentioned that headline in the announcement.

"At the heart of any good partnership is authenticity and genuine respect," Taco Bueno president and CEO Mike Roper said in a statement. "Taco is serious about football, and we are serious about Tex-Mex, and that is a winning combination. We couldn't be more excited to bring some fun to all our fans this upcoming football season."

"Last night, Jerry Jones drafted Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton to America's Team," Roper said. "This morning, The Dallas Morning News ran the sports page headline 'Taco Bueno,' and we couldn't agree more. North Texas has been home base to the legendary Tex-Mex chain for its entire 50-year history, and we are opening our arms and doors to Taco Charlton as he becomes part of the fabric of our hometown."



How does Charlton compare to the taco variety the chain already had?

"While we craft some of the biggest food in Texas, we don't claim to have any 277-pound tacos," Roper said. "Jerry Jones really outdid us on that one. On behalf of the entire Taco Bueno team and Buenoheads worldwide, welcome to Dallas, Taco Charlton."



Charlton said in the Tuesday statement that Taco Bueno "tops everyone" when it comes to the menu item and he's excited to partner with them.

"In my short time here, I have discovered that Texas is THE PLACE for tacos," he said. "Believe me, I've been trying them my whole life. "

Charlton also signed an endorsement deal with Big Red soda, the company announced Monday. Part of that deal includes a Big Red sweepstakes for Charlton-autographed memorabilia and a chance to meet the rookie at North Texas grocery stores later this year.

"The partnership makes perfect sense as nothing complements tacos better than the sweet, smooth flavor of Big Red soda," Big Red said in a release.

Charlton agreed.

"I love my name and I actually do love tacos," said Charlton, whose Twitter handle is @TheSupremeTaco. "Although I am new to Texas, I quickly learned that nothing goes better with tacos than Big Red, so I'm excited to partner with such a unique, iconic brand."