Nnamdi Asomugha.

Fantastic player for the Oakland Raiders. Not so great as a Philadelphia Eagle.

Now retired, Nnamdi is pursuing an acting career, performing recently in New York in productions of Crown Heights and Good Grief. Apparently he’s pretty good, too, because he’s turned those gigs into a Broadway debut currently running through March, playing the role of ‘Private First Class Melvin Peterson’ in A Soldier’s Play. It’s a drama set in 1944 and centers on the murder of a sergeant at a Louisiana Army base.

From the show’s website:


NNAMDI ASOMUGHA (Private First Class Melvin Peterson) is an award-winning actor, producer and former NFL All-Pro. In October 2018, Asomugha made his New York stage debut in Good Grief at Vineyard Theatre. On the big screen, his portrayal of Carl King in Crown Heights garnered him both an Independent Spirit Award nomination and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He will next be seen starring in the feature film Sylvie’s Love. Producer: Harriet, Beasts of No Nation, The Banker, Crown Heights and American Son (Broadway). Before pursuing an acting career, Asomugha played 11 seasons in the National Football League and was one of the best defensive players in the league, receiving multiple All- Pro and Pro Bowl selections. A Soldier’s Play is Asomugha’s Broadway debut.

Nnamdi is married to a famous actress, Kerry Washington of Scandal and Django Unchained fame. Maybe she’s the catalyst for the acting pursuit. But good for him; the guy was always super smart and talented, just didn’t work out in Philly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm4quOIBcDA