Oftentimes, we see art and sports as two completely separate–and possibly opposite ideas, but this is not always the case. It is important for all Panthers not to divide ourselves and embrace all of the extracurriculars offered here at Elder. Many famous athletes participate in the arts, and many artists are athletic, so why can’t we emulate that here?
Kobe Bryant
He is known as a famous basketball player and overall pro athlete, but did you know he was also a tap dancer? Kobe Bryant indulged himself in the arts throughout his lifetime. Despite what the common person might think, Bryant, one of the greatest of all time, had nothing but praises to say about his experiences in tap dancing, a class that he took for a whole year to strengthen his ankles. Kobe was also known to befriend experts in other fields so he could exchange secrets to success, and dance was no different. One of the greatest dancers of all time and also actress for the hit show Grey’s Anatomy, Debbie Allen was good friends with Kobe and talked about his affinity for the arts often. She mentioned a different kind of mamba in an interview backstage at the Grammy Awards with Dance Magazine after Bryant’s death. “He was a tremendous supporter of young people in the arts. He was a tremendous supporter of young people everything. It was what his whole life’s work was about, and I am just feeling such pain today to have lost that big light.”
Terry Crews
Another athlete who has participated in different humanities is Terry Crews. As a previous NFL player and now a prominent actor, Crews’ passion for art is not new. During his six-year NFL career, Terry painted commissions for his fellow teammates. Terry’s photorealistic style and overall impeccable design capabilities set him apart as not only an athlete who does art but also a prolific artist. Not limiting himself to the art of painting, Crews has also been acting professionally for over twenty-five years, proving that even those in athletics can live out their full potential in other fields, including different forms of art. Terry is featured most prominently in White Chicks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and America’s Got Talent.
Shaquille O’Neal
Finally, and among the most notable athletes in recent memory is Shaquille O’Neil, better known as Shaq. Having an extraordinary 19-year career in basketball, Shaq was a remarkable athlete, and without a doubt one of the most famous of all time. A once shielded part of him, Shaq has a musical side which is slowly growing in the public favor. He is known as ‘DJ Diesel,’
Shaq’s passion for music has inspired and led to support of the arts worldwide. Saying in an interview with People Magazine, “I went to this concert and I got the same feeling again. I was like, You know what? I used to do this. Lemme see if I can pick it up again. So yeah, it’s fun.” Shaq found his passion for the fame and notoriety of basketball in DJing. Proving that athletes can find fulfilment in other places than their sports. Beyond artistic support even, Shaq hosted a musical festival in order to help those stricken with mental illness known as ‘Shaq’s Bass All-Stars.’ This benefitted not only the fans of The Diesel, but helped many people across the US with mental health care; showing how beneficial a famous athlete can be to the arts.
Why should athletes do art?
All of these examples show that when athletes set aside the stigma of ‘art kid’ or ‘theatre kid’ they can create great things and help not only their sports careers, their mental health, or the humanities, but the world as a whole. Arts and sports are not two opposite sides of the spectrum, we can all benefit when they coexist.
To all of Elder’s many athletes, indulge yourself in an art form. Follow a new passion you may have never known because, you never know, you may find something you love.
