Saints working again Jamaal Williams shares his historical past with anime.
Jamaal Williams is likely to be probably the most seen Black nerd within the NFL. And, he is at all times been a fan of nerdy hobbies like accumulating Pokemon playing cards or watching anime. Throughout Anime Expo 2024, ComicBook had the possibility to talk with the New Orleans Saints working again about how rather more accepted geek tradition is amongst younger folks now. Williams highlighted his personal journey with anime and the way he used his fandom to assist keep the course all the best way to the NFL.
Now, the whole journey wasn’t with out bumps within the highway. However, the 29-year-old again acknowledges that his favourite reveals like Naruto have helped type a place of consolation that he can look in the direction of in his private life. Cruchyroll hosted a panel that includes Kiera Please and LeAlec Murphy with Kimberly Adams moderating. Simply the variety of Black celebrities that have brazenly embraced anime lately is an eye-opener.
“I simply really feel like there’s so many individuals which are like celebrities. Meg! [Thee Stallion] Athletes like Noah Lyles, me. There are lots of people who’re expressing anime on the market now, to let Black nerds know. Properly, let everyone know that it is okay to love anime. Like, it is okay. You’ll be able to nonetheless reside a standard life, and like your stuff, and put them collectively. And you’ll let folks know what you are doing. I do!
Navigating Anime Fandom & Athletic Pursuits
Jamaal Williams stands on the far left.
– ComicBook/Hoxby)
“It is simply humorous to me now, as a result of my mates, whereas nonetheless in highschool, they nonetheless messed with me. ‘You keep in mind the way you used to run round together with your arms behind your again?’ So yup, day by day I allow them to know, as a result of I at all times like nicely, they revered as a result of I performed soccer proper? Properly the, they have been gonna have to just accept my nerdy methods as a result of I wasn’t altering for anyone. I used to be at all times going to be a nerd. I used to be by no means altering to be one thing I am not. I simply appreciated anime as a result of it stored me calm and stored me centered. It was my peace zone.”
“So, it was one thing optimistic. It was by no means something I used to be going to get in bother for. It was by no means something that was going to place me in positions to mess up my profession. I really feel prefer it was nice for assembly adversity and I used to be nice for studying to remain calm. Even now, after I’m going by means of stuff, the older I get, I can return to watching the stuff I used to be watching after I was little. I be taught new methods of residing, be taught new methods of dealing with adversity. I believe it is simply wholesome actually.”
Have you ever ever seen Jamaal speaking about anime? Catch all of our popular culture dialogue at @ComicBook on social media!
