Isaac Ukwu's sights were solely set on just playing in the NFL - until two season-ending knee injuries in college served as a harsh reality of football's fragility.
The setbacks reshaped Ukwu's perspective, showing him that football was part of him, but not all of him. Even after signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent last year, the defensive end knew he needed more than just the game.
So, when the NFL introduced a program for players exploring careers in film and television, he seized the chance to build his off-the-field legacy.
"You can't let your entire identity be football," said Ukwu, an aspiring actor, who was one of 20-plus former and active NFL players selected to join film training sessions at the NFL Career Tour hosted by Hidden Empire and Skydance Sports . During the three-day sessions, athletes explored the nuances of filmmaking - learning behind-the-camera roles like directing, producing and other essential elements of bringing a project to life - while also sharpening their skills as actors.
The sessions recently concluded with the creation of short films at the Hidden Empire studios in Santa Monica, California. The company is led by independent filmmaker Deon Taylor , best known for "Black and Blue" and "The Intruder," and his wife Roxanne Avent Taylor.