Meet Featured Alumnus & NFL Player: Isaac Keys
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Posted By: Hija Chang on January 12, 2011 FEATURED Content Isaac Keys’ passions have a funny way of taking the pro athlete-turned-actor from one field to the next. Some reality show fans may recognize the brawny 32-year-old from his debt on “Donald Trump PresentsThe Ultimate Merger,” featuring reality TV star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. The Morehouse College grad was one of 12 contestants vying for the Central State University alum’s attention on the dating show. While Keys wasn’t able to “close the deal” with the 36-year-old diva, he said learned from the experience “I was nervous before and during the time the show aired because I didn’t know if they would truly depict me as me, or if they would edit my scenes to create some character. Now that show has aired, I can say that I’m happy that they showed me being truly me,” he said. I’m even more elated to have had the chance to share who I am with the millions of viewers.” While millions of people – especially women -- are beginning to recognize Keys, his path to the small screen began humbly on the high school football fields of St. Louis. Even with varsity letters and accolades, as graduation day neared, the 6’3” Missouri native still wasn’t sure if he would ever tear up college turf. The recruiters had all but ignored the teen because he still hadn’t found his niche on the field. “My high school coaches had me play a position that wasn’t really right for me,” Keys explained. “I wasn’t considered a standout so my true ability wasn’t seen and I didn’t get the attention of the recruiters.” But, true to the Mid-western work ethic his parents instilled, Keys resisted the urge to give up and earned a walk-on spot at University of North Alabama. After playing there for a year, a nudge from this father, Isaac Sr., turned his thoughts toward transferring to a HBCU, he said. He applied to several before Morehouse College accepted him. While there, Keys played football and chased down a degree in health and physical education. The academics were tough, but coming of age and eventually earning a degree on the historic campus taught the former linebacker even bigger lessons in life. “I learned a lot in my classes, but bigger than that, it was the experiences I had at Morehouse that really helped shape me. Going through the adversity of not having certain things, but still figuring out how to make things happen and get things done can really show you what you’re made of. You adopt a ‘no excuses’ attitude,” the 32-year-old bachelor said. Keys considered a career in physical therapy, but he realized he couldn’t sideline his passion for the field. After graduation, the Minnesota Vikings picked him up as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and he played there for two years followed by a stint with the Green Bay Packers and three years with the Arizona Cardinals. Seven years in the big leagues later -- including one year in the Canadian Football League -- the daily grind of the profession began to wear and he found himself considering other fields. Keys remembered his high school acting days and began taking acting classes. Then came the opportunity to audition for The Ultimate Merger. “In making the transition from sports to acting, I was wary of the decision to do reality TV because I didn't want it to keep people from taking me seriously as an actor. I felt nothing came from reality TV but more reality TV. After being kind of put at ease by various people I know, that outlook on reality TV changed and I decided to do it,” he said. Though the show aired its final episode in August, Keys still keeps in contact with his cast mates and has fond memories of Omarosa and their HBCU connection. Keys said the starlet, who also attended Howard University, used to tease him, saying Howard was the better school. “I quickly let her know that Morehouse is a prestigious and private college and we just don’t let anyone in like Howard (LOL). That’s our joke so no need for anyone else to get offended!” With a reality show and other movie and TV credits to his name, Keys’ passion for acting has him off and running in his newfound field. “My next project is a stage play called For the Sake of the Children showing in Minneapolis in September. I’ll also be in Faith Evans’ love interest in her video, Gone Already, and I have a few more things in the works,” he said. “My goal is for people to see me on the stage, on the big screen, and any positive media or social avenue you look down. After all, staying relevant is the name of the game.” When asked what advice he would give to students striving to graduate from the HBCUs and pursue their dreams like he did, Keys stays true to the no-nonsense work ethic that has carried him from the big leagues to the big stage. “If you want to make something happen in your life, the first step is for you to take the initiative and then add your faith. Understand that ‘a closed mouth don’t get fed’ and ‘work don’t get done if you don’t work!’ “ Enough said. Stay Connected to Isaac Keys by visiting: http://hbcuconnect.com/cgi-bin/show_member... Photo Credit: Geno Brooks, Wilberforce University Alum, G'Media Productions If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Central State University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
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Very inspiring.
Friday, January 28th 2011 at 12:46PM |
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