From Floodlights to Spotlights: How An NFL Vet Found a Love for Acting
Renowned retired running back Dorsey Levens, who spent over a decade in the NFL, traded in his playbooks for scripts as he embarked on a career in the entertainment industry.
The Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer started out as a local sports analyst for Comcast sports and ACC digital network. Seemingly a perfect fit for a retired NFL player, Levens thought he would be in broadcasting for a long time. But, something sparked a fire within Levens as he decided to leave sports broadcasting behind and pursue acting.
The first step can often be the toughest, but “find something that you like to do,” Levens advises about beginning the transition out of professional sports.
The process of finding your niche after football can be a trial and error process, but in the end Levens says: “allow for yourself to do something you enjoy, and maybe even complete an internship initially.”
For players looking to transition into a career they’ve never done, Dorsey believes: “If you have an idea go for it, just know that idea may change and be prepared to change yourself.”
FEARLESS TRANSITION
One of the first roles Levens ever performed was a supporting role as a coach in the movie, We Are Marshall. Next, Levens went on to write and produce a documentary highlighting the long-term effects of football concussions titled, Bell Rung. Adding to the list of credits includes a hit stage play, Stripped, which incorporates real life stories he experienced and observed throughout his years as an NFL player.
Now, Levens holds a leading role in Tyler Perry’s Madea on the Run , which is currently on a 10-week national tour. In Perry’s latest installment of the Madea series, “Madea on the Run” follows Mabel Simons, infamously known as Madea, who finds herself in trouble with the law – again.
His character, Jacob, who he describes as a “shady man" is nothing like Levens. However, that’s the beauty of acting. “Becoming somebody else and not being held responsible for their actions,” Levens said. “Once the play is over, you step out of character and that character you performed as on stage is no longer relevant.”
Being the only former professional athlete in the cast, Levens preps for a performance by doing a shorter version of a football warm-up.
“My castmates make fun of me, because I’ll go in the back and do some push-ups or I’ll stretch my legs.”
OFF STAGE PERFORMANCE
When he’s not on the stage, Levens spends his time running his youth training program – I Am Momentum, which specializes in helping youth reach their maximum through strength and conditioning training. Dorsey trains athletes of all sports backgrounds including lacrosse, football, track and tennis.
“It’s great seeing athletes accomplish their goals through exercise.” Levens said. He is innately passionate about the importance of hard work - which he believes is a true testament to his current success. “There’s no substitute for hard work,” Levens said
Hard work truly pays off and what’s next for Levens is limitless. Don’t be surprised to see him on the big screen next or your living room television. “The goal is to do writing, tv, film, etc. and I wouldn’t be opposed to doing another stage play, although I think my heart is in film and television.”
To keep up with Dorsey Levens, you can follow him on social media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
--Giordanna Easley
NFLPA Communications