From the Green Bay Packers' Jamal Williams and the Seattle Hawks' John Reid to the New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan and what's more, the NFL has many players who are passionate about anime and manga as well as football.
DeMarcus Lawrence, the Dallas Cowboys defensive back and four-time Pro Bowl champion, is easily one of the most passionate fans working today, having designed a Custom shoes inspired by anime and was even a host at this year's competition Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Polygon had the chance to sit down with Lawrence in Japan to discuss his love of anime, where he pointed out Mushoku Tensei reincarnates unemployment is his favorite recent movie. For Lawrence, the anime (based on the light novel series by Rifujin na Magonote and illustrator Shirataka) resonated with his own experience aspiring to become a professional soccer player. Mushoku Tensei reincarnates unemployment focuses on the character Rudeus, who died in the first episode of the series and was given a second chance at life when he was suddenly reincarnated in the body of a baby. That brought it home for the athlete.
“Just the idea of getting another chance at life,” Lawrence said. “You know, I feel like when I was 13 years old, my Lord and Savior Jesus gave me a chance by showing me how to navigate life and pursue my dreams, so that is why it impressed me.”
But which anime character would he bring into the NFL? Lawrence immediately had a vision of his dream team: Goku and Vegeta.
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Image: Toei Animation/Sony Pictures released
“I'll go with me Dragon Ball Z guys, first of all, because we're going to need those Super Saiyan powers in the fourth quarter. So Goku is in midfield, Vegeta is in midfield.”
One could easily imagine the entire Dragon Ball crew dominating football, but Lawrence has sought out other groups of talent to fill out his bench.
“Yuji Itadori [from Jujutsu Kaisen] at wide receiver. gabimaru [from Hell’s Paradise] at the other wide receiver and Baki Hanma [from Baki Hanma] like running back.”
It's hard to argue with the sheer terrifying power of his choices. When asked if he would go toe-to-toe with his team, Lawrence laughed and said, “No, I won't line up there!”
