Taj [ Johnson] is the singer in my family. So whenever I would be practicing my warmups in the house, she would let me have it. I could be on the other side of the house doing my voice lessons and she would scream, "Drop your jaw for those long notes."

That mental grind is the same, and this show has to be approached with the same mentality. Rest is paramount. Taking care of my voice and making sure I have the right foods in my body is paramount. Making sure I'm doing my technique work and staying in the script is all substantial. Continually pushing myself to find different nuances in the character on a nightly basis. This is definitely boot camp for me all over again, and Broadway in general is a boot camp for all actors.

There's so much there to cultivate an opportunity to change the mindset of how players think, in terms of not lending their power over to just anyone. I've been a victim of that, and it's difficult to rebound from.

I often think about what I want my sons to fully comprehend in regards to how sport industry unfairly operates.

Every word that I say, every song that I sing, and literally every move that I make [ in Chicaho musical] has much purpose.

I've seen young men in college going into the NFL and then bite the cheese that's in the trap. They'll throw you a pair of Jordans or a moneybag for their services. It's in that moment where most compromise. This business is unforgivable, and you got a bunch of sharks out there. It's mind boggling that universities don't prepare athletes for what they're going to experience.

My wife is been extremely supportive and when doubt creeps in, she's there pushing me along. She's helped me move up here, get all of my furniture and brought all my groceries. That's what marriage is about: supporting each other and helping each other reach our fullest potential.