Football players have been a major contribution to making ballroom dancing cool for guys. Rashad Jennings, embodies both of these worlds - He's an NFL player, a cool guy, and, oh yeah, he also happens to already be a fan of ballroom dancing.
DWTS Pro: Emma Slater
Most Known For: NFL Running Back
Age: 31
1. He's Auditioning
As of this March 5th, Rashad Jennings is an NFL Free Agent having just been released by the New York Giants. This means that, as of this moment, the only job he's got is as a hired celebrity on Dancing with the Stars. He's hoping it doesn't stay that way.
2. He Competes
Understanding how to prepare, how to win, and ,most importantly, how to lose without losing the will to get back up and push further is one of the biggest advantages he has in this competition.
3. He is a Hard Worker
NFL players are used to training their minds and bodies for the toughest competitions. For them, that creates job security. While learning to be a great leader will challenge his mind, and ballroom dancing will challenge his body in new ways, challenges are the prelude to strength.
1. He Wants to be President
Not in the joking around sense. In the legitimate, vote-for-me, sincere candidate sense.
2. Had Big Problems in High School
As an overweight 5th string running back on his high school team, there wasn't a lot of upside for Jennings. Then after a series of injuries to his teammates, Jennings had his moment and shined. The only hangup? He was sitting on a 0.6 Grade Point Average until a scout told him to get his grades up. With hard work he got his weight down, his grades up, and played college football.
3. Nearly Irrelevant
Every year, the NFL has a special distinction for the last player taken in the NFL Draft. In addition to some additional press, they, essentially, just refer to the player as "Mr. Irrelevant". Jennings was the 250th player selected, Mr. Irrelevant was the 256th player taken. With one of the most unpredictable job markets in America, the chances are very slim for a player taken that late in the draft to make it in the NFL. Which goes to show that Jennings has been underestimated, and worked hard to change that perception.
4. He is the Perfect Teammate
Not many professional athletes would congratulate, and lend their support, to someone that has just taken their job. Then again, Jennings isn't your average football player. When the up and coming rookie Running Back, Paul Perkins, supplanted Jennings as the starter, Jennings' reaction couldn't have been better. “I was excited for him to get his first start and get an opportunity to bat first,” Jennings said. “I let him know: ‘I’m here, man. I support you 100 percent. I have your back.’ ”
5. Has Wanted to be on DWTS
When asked about things on his bucket list in the New York Post, Jennings said "I would be a fan to do “Dancing With the Stars.” One of the things I sort of picked up was ballroom dancing this offseason, so we’ll see."
Final Thought
There may be a point in this competition where one of the judges, a colleague, or some random person on Twitter second guesses the talent of Rashad Jennings. It's at that point where his professional superpower will kick in. Where the composite of his competitive drive, his optimistic point of view, and his determined spirit will turn doubt into fuel.
Rashad Jennings knows his capabilities, and soon... so will the rest of America.
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