NFL players score a shot at Hollywood through hands-on training sessions
with filmmaker Deon Taylor
[March 13, 2025]
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just
playing in the NFL — until two season-ending knee injuries in college
served as a harsh reality of football's fragility.
The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was
part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit
Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he
needed more than just the game.
So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in
film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field
legacy.
“You can’t let your entire identity be football,” said Ukwu, an aspiring
actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to
join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden
Empire and Skydance Sports. During the three-day sessions, athletes
explored the nuances of filmmaking — learning behind-the-camera roles
like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a
project to life — while also sharpening their skills as actors.
The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the
Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The power couple,
Deon Taylor, director of “Black and Blue” and “The Intruder,” and
Roxanne Avent Taylor, steer the company as co-CEOs.
“This experience is really invaluable,” said Ukwu, who hopes to break
into acting before eventually exploring directing and producing.
Some of the players featured in the sessions included Arizona Cardinals
quarterback Kyler Murray, Cincinnati Bengals lineman Orlando Brown,
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward, Buffalo Bills
offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker
Daiyan Henley.
It’s the third year of program — which has featured panelists including
entertainers Tyrese Gibson and Master P and retired NFL player Vernon
Davis.
“They let you know there’s a way to enter that door,” said Heyward, a
seven-time Pro Bowler, who's interested in becoming a director or
producer. “It’s not like you have to come from a film background. But if
you appreciate films and you’re a fan of it, there’s a space for you.”
Reshaping the future for athletes’ storytelling
Taylor’s vision is to redefine storytelling and build a pipeline for
authentic, culture-driven narratives straight from the world’s top
athletes.
He sees the Hidden Empire Sports Collective — launched last month — as a
key step in helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game. This new
entertainment division focuses on amplifying athletes’ voices through
content creation and intellectual property development.
“We should be educating athletes on how to actually create content, make
IP themselves,” said Taylor, who played basketball in East Germany
before he ultimately directed other notable titles such as “Meet the
Blacks" and “Fatale.” He’s become a major player in the independent
filmmaking space.
“But then more importantly, it’s being a sound information highway for
them to understand how they could take something that was great in their
life or something that was painful in their lives, tweak it and make it
become something that could be content,” he said.
Roxanne Avent Taylor described the sports collective as a hub for
creating “stories that shape and define our culture.”
The sports collective has partnered with several athletes, landing
developmental deals with stars like boxing champion Floyd Mayweather
Jr., NBA champion Scottie Pippen and Los Angeles Clippers star James
Harden. One upcoming project is a four-part docuseries on Mayweather's
life.
With the training sessions, Taylor believes athletes can find
inspiration through the sports collective and Ephraim Salaam, who
successfully transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood. After playing 13
seasons in the league, he has built a career as a screenwriter.
Salaam stressed to pro athletes the importance of owning their stories.
He noted that they can offer a deeper perspective on their lives that
might captivate the masses.
“The No. 1 thing I always tell them is ‘You’re one of one,’” said
Salaam, who is the sports collective's creative executive. “You’ve been
able to look and see life through a lens very few people have. That
information is valuable in a writers room.”
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Isaac Ukwu, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, acts out a scene
from "The Matrix" during a filmmaking workshop for NFL players on
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris
Pizzello)
 Taking notes from Hollywood
industry leaders
In just a few days, athletes dove into filmmaking with the same
intensity they bring to studying playbooks.
Players broke into different groups to film scenes for their own
movie using iPhones. They went through career and educational panels
along with interactive workshops that included a tour of Paramount
Studios.
Many assumed acting was their standout skill — until they realized
every role on a project is just as crucial to the final score.
For Ukwu, he learned that a film producer wears many hats, much like
an NFL general manager, overseeing everything from reading scripts
to securing directors and funding projects. He credits Taylor for
guiding him and his peers through their early filmmaking journey.
“It’s like if I was in high school and I had access to Dan Campbell
just to talk and coach me up on some things that can lead my success
in the future,” said Ukwu.
The project took shape after an NFL Career Tour stop, an initiative
designed to provide insight into the entertainment industry. This
tour is part of Skydance Sports, a joint NFL-Skydance venture
offering athletes a behind-the-scenes look at sports programming and
storytelling.
The collaboration aims to equip players with the tools to transition
into media, content creation and production to share their own
narratives with the world.
“Without the players, there is no game,” said Tracy Perlman, senior
vice president of player operation for the NFL. “We don’t want to
build athletes. We want to build people."
Dion Dawkins said opportunities are ripe for the taking.
“You have to create your lane without that helmet on,” said Dawkins,
a four-time Pro Bowler who's an aspiring actor with a big
personality. He gets inspired watching former NFL players who
transitioned into the TV and film industry such as Salaam, Terry
Crews, Laith Wallschleger and Vernon Davis.
“If you think you’re bigger than a football player, you have avenues
that can show it,” he said. “Because we have OGs that have done it,
and doing it currently, it gives you that bit of ... I’m not an
outsider, I’m an insider. As long as I conduct and control myself in
the right manner, I’ll have a chance.”
Some former NFL players who broke into the film and TV industry
Terry Bradshaw, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jim Brown, running back, Cleveland Browns
Terry Crews, defensive end, Los Angeles Rams; Green Bay Packers; San
Diego Chargers; Philadelphia Eagles; Washington
Vernon Davis, tight end, San Francisco 49ers; Denver Broncos and
Washington
Tony Gonzalez, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs; Atlanta Falcons
Ed Marinaro, running back, Minnesota Vikings; New York Jets; Seattle
Seahawks
Ephraim Salaam, offensive tackle, Atlanta Falcons; Denver Broncos;
Jacksonville Jaguars; Houston Texans; Detroit Lions
O.J. Simpson, running back, Buffalo Bills; San Francisco 49ers
Bubba Smith, defensive end, Baltimore Colts; Oakland Raiders;
Houston Oilers
John David Washington, running back, St. Louis Rams (practice squad)
Carl Weathers, linebacker, Oakland Raiders
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