NFL players are more than just athletes – in many cases, they seem to have larger than life personalities and become celebrities. As with other famous people, it can be hard for us to imagine that they actually have real lives off the pitch.
The NFL is the most popular sports league in the continental US, and the biggest clashes get international interest and are televised worldwide. It’s no surprise that we want to know everything we can about the top players in the best teams. We obviously want to know what their player records and strengths are, but there is a growing interest in who they are off the pitch, too. Their personal lives are very intriguing and can even give us an insight into the way they play.
We want to know who they are off the pitch almost as much as on the pitch, so that maybe we can try and be more like them – whether that means knowing that they play online casino games at one of the providers found on bonusfinder.com, that they enjoy video games, or that they have a wholesome love for animals, for example. Football players can seem so removed from our daily lives that finding out they are just like us in some way can be a revelation.
What is even more astonishing is the idea that they might have some interesting hobbies and interests that are completely removed from the game itself. Here are just a few of the interesting hobbies that NFL players have.
Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins is an enthusiastic poker player, as well as being a brilliant wide receiver. Known for his excellent play in the Green Bay Packers, his dedication to football is something that obviously makes him a great poker player. He knows how to stay calm in a crisis and work his way through a problem strategically. He probably plays online poker, too.
His poker passion even made the news back in 2016, when pictures emerged on social media that suggested he had skipped voluntary preseason fitness training to go to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in North Casino for the World Series of Poker tournament that was being held there.
Boston Scott
The running back for the Philadelphia Eagles might be a force to reckoned with on the pitch, but many people might be surprised to know that he is also a professional eSports player.
Scott plays as part of pro gaming team Digitas, as both a content creator and a substitute in Rocket League. For those that don’t know, Rocket League is a team-based game that combines wacky vehicles and soccer to create a competition where the teams need to score as many goals as they can while preventing the other team from scoring, all using a giant ball in a dome-shaped arena.
Dignitas as a team are one of the best in the world, so when Scott retires from pro football, he’ll probably have a career there.
Justin Tucker
This is potentially one of the most interesting hobbies of a football player – Justin Tucker is an accomplished opera singer.
Known as one of the greatest placekickers in NFL history, Tucker plays for the Baltimore Ravens – but he can also sing opera in seven different languages. He studied under Nikita Storojev whilst in college in Texas and was determined to nurture his talent even as he made it into the big leagues of NFL.
Tucker can be seen on YouTube and social media showing off his talent, and he has also taken on several charity concerts performing with orchestras to raise money.
Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch might have been known as a dominant running back when he was on the field, earning a Super Bowl victory which is something that not all NFL players are able to claim.
He spent most of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, but when he retired, he developed his passion for acting and became involved in many different productions for TV and in video games.
He is probably most recognised for his portrayals in Westworld, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and his own documentary, but he has also provided his voice for games like Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Predator Hunting Grounds.
Von Miller
The powerful linebacker that plays for the Buffalo Bills might seem like an intense heavy hitter – and on the field, which is correct. In fact, the Bills recently restructured their contracts to be able to offer him $8.85 million this year to play.
However, his passion lies in a gentler place – with chicken farming. He has a family history of farming in Texas, so he honours that history by running a humane and sustainable chicken farm. This has seen some incredible success as it was rated as the top organic poultry farm in the Southern United States and is used by several companies to create some delicious meals.