Terry Crews is a well known television personality and Flint, Michigan native who played his college football at Western Michigan University while studying at the College of Fine Arts under an Art Experience Scholarship.
Crews, now the host of the popular television series 'America's Got Talent,' was awarded a full-ride scholarship to play football for the Broncos and was part of the 1998 Mid-American Conference Championship team.
Recently, Crews made a surprising revelation on Instagram that many of his followers did not know about, causing readers to take notice while showering the beloved TV personality with praise as he revealed information on the struggle that made him who he is today.
Terry Crews takes in a Pacers-Thunder game.
Terry Crews takes in a Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals game while wearing an Indiana jersey.
© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
"27 years old. Just cut from the Washington Redskins (now the @commanders). I had a dream, a family to support, and a gift: painting.
"Back then, I'd walk into the locker room - not as a player, but as an artist- asking guys if they wanted their portraits painted," Crews wrote on IG.
"This is how I survived those first seven years in the NFL...painting my way from team to team.
"It helped keep me going, helped me and (Crews' wife) Rebecca eat, helped us believe in what was next. This photo? It's me at 27 with my painting of @mitch30 (former Redskins running back Brian Mitchell), one of the stars of the team and one of the few who believed in me enough to invest.
"He just sent me this pic today. I hadn't seen it in decades... and it brought me right back. Two years after this, I moved to Hollywood.
"And the rest, well... you know the story. So many of you ask about my art - this is where it all started.
"With a hope, a hustle, and a brush. What do you think?" Crews asked, concluding his recent post. Fans descended on the comments section to share their thoughts.
"As a lifelong artist who pretty much just does art (I'm a tattoo artist), I'm so blown away at your talent with SO MANY things!" one fan said.
"You're a true polymath and a legend!!"
"Inspiring. Arts always saves us,' a second added.
"Wow, this is incredible. You are super talented," another said with a clapping hands emoji. That is cool AF."
Crews played in 26 NFL games across two seasons, recording 5 total tackles with the Chargers and Redskins.