As of late I’ve been putting some thought into athletes and some of their decisions to have part-time or second careers as musicians or actors.  I was listening to Stephen Jackson’s mixtape which actually doesn’t sound bad and has pretty good features and started thinking how many epic failures preceding athletes had with their music careers. Shaquille O’Neal did have gold and platinum albums but only off his name.  Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Chris Webber to name the major ones that come to mind. 

 

Anyone else noticing a common theme? Why does it seem as if only really good NBA players want to pursue a rap career.  Deion Sanders and Oscar De La Hoya both tried their hand at music unsuccessfully.  The only true successes I can think of are Wayman Tisdale and Bernie Williams both who have had solid Jazz careers and actually have talent.  How about these players you probably never knew had rap stints, may never even knew them as pro athletes? Like, Isaiah Rider, Troy Hudson, Ron Artest, Chris Mills, Walt Williams, and even Jason Kidd. I mean really who is giving these pro athletes advice? 

 

How about the pro players who try acting? Howie Long and Rick Fox; don’t we all wish we could forget?  The best probably are from 70’s Fred Williamson and Jim Brown.  I am not counting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson because he never played pro football and Wrestling is not a sport… its men play fighting in leotards.  I believe Terry Crews made a couple of NFL teams and has turned out to have a pretty decent acting career.  My question is can someone name me a talented and successful athlete who actually had a talented and successful acting or music career?

Submitted by contributing writer J. Darien Stokes