I still remember the first time I saw Terry Crews on screen - that explosive energy, that commanding presence that made you think he was born for Hollywood. But what many people don't realize is that his path to stardom was paved on the football field long before he ever faced a camera. Having followed both sports and entertainment careers closely, I've always been fascinated by athletes who successfully transition to acting, but Terry's story stands out as particularly remarkable.

His football journey began at Western Michigan University, where he started all four years as a defensive end. I've watched countless game tapes from his college days, and what strikes me is his raw athleticism - the same explosive power that would later make him so compelling on screen. He recorded 62 solo tackles and 19 sacks during his senior year alone, numbers that caught the attention of NFL scouts. The Green Bay Packers selected him in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft, launching what would become a six-season professional career that took him through multiple teams including the Rams, Chargers, and Redskins.

What many don't appreciate is how grueling those NFL years really were. People see the glamour of professional sports, but I've spoken with enough former players to understand the reality - the constant pressure, the physical toll, the uncertainty of roster spots. Terry was essentially what you'd call a "journeyman" player, bouncing between teams and practice squads. He played 32 NFL games total, starting just three of them, and recorded 24 tackles. These aren't Hall of Fame numbers, but that's exactly what makes his story so compelling to me. He wasn't a superstar on the field - he was a worker, grinding it out week after week.

The transition from sports to entertainment is something I've studied extensively, and Terry's case is textbook perfect in its imperfection. He didn't retire from football and immediately land acting roles. There were years of struggle, of figuring out who he was beyond the athlete identity. He's spoken openly about taking whatever acting jobs he could get early on, often playing exactly what you'd expect - the football player or the tough guy. But what impressed me was how he leveraged his physical presence while simultaneously demonstrating incredible range.

I can't help but draw parallels between Terry's athletic background and his approach to acting. In football, you learn discipline, teamwork, and how to perform under pressure - all skills that translate beautifully to film sets. There's a reason so many former athletes succeed in Hollywood. They understand what it means to be part of an ensemble, to take direction, to push through when things get tough. Terry didn't just bring his physique to his roles - he brought that athlete's mindset.

Looking at his filmography now, it's incredible to see the evolution. From his early roles in films like "Friday After Next" to his breakout in "Everybody Hates Chris" and now "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," he's demonstrated remarkable versatility. What I find most impressive is how he's managed to avoid being typecast as just the "big tough guy." He brings nuance, comedy, and heart to his characters in ways that surprise audiences who only know him from his physical presence.

The business side of his career transition is equally fascinating. Unlike many athletes who struggle financially after their sports careers end, Terry strategically built his entertainment career while still playing football. He's mentioned in interviews taking art classes during the NFL offseason, preparing for his second act while still in his first. That level of foresight is rare, and it's something I always emphasize when advising young athletes about career planning.

His story resonates with me personally because it challenges the conventional narrative about athlete transitions. We often hear about the superstars who move into broadcasting or the tragedies of athletes who struggle after retirement. Terry represents that middle ground - the dedicated professional who leveraged his platform and skills to build something entirely new. He didn't rely on his football fame alone; he put in the work to master a new craft.

What many might not know is that Terry almost gave up on acting multiple times. The rejection was constant early in his career, and he's spoken about moments where he considered returning to a more conventional career path. But that athlete's perseverance kicked in - the same determination that kept him fighting for roster spots in the NFL pushed him through the tough early years in Hollywood.

Now, seeing him host "America's Got Talent" and star in one of television's most beloved comedies, it's clear that his journey represents more than just a career change. It's about reinvention, about proving that our early chapters don't define our entire stories. As someone who's worked with transitioning athletes, I can attest that Terry's success has inspired countless others to pursue their own second acts.

The beautiful irony is that his football career, which many might see as just a stepping stone, actually provided the exact foundation he needed for Hollywood success. The discipline, the work ethic, the ability to handle pressure - these are the invisible tools he brought with him from the gridiron to the soundstage. And in my opinion, that's what makes his story not just interesting, but genuinely important in understanding how skills transfer across seemingly unrelated fields.

When I look at Terry Crews' career arc, what stands out isn't the dramatic pivot from sports to entertainment, but rather the continuity of the man himself. The same qualities that made him a valuable teammate in the NFL - reliability, energy, dedication - are exactly what have made him so successful in Hollywood. His story teaches us that reinvention doesn't mean abandoning who you are, but rather applying your core strengths in new contexts. And that's a lesson that extends far beyond football fields or movie sets.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.