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I can't believe this guy is 30 already.
The rap on Reggie Swinton
KRISTIE RIEKEN
Associated Press
HOUSTON - Reggie Swinton is out to prove himself on and off the football field.
The 30-year-old is fighting to land the return job in his first season with the Houston Texans. In his spare time, he's a rapper, looking to gain acceptance and shake the stigma that athletes can't rap.
"When you're a free agent like myself that's bouncing around you're never comfortable and you always gotta prove something to somebody," Swinton, who is with his third team in five seasons, said after practice Monday. "I know I can play ball ... but it's still no comfort level."
The Texans' return duties are up for grabs after the team cut J.J. Moses in May. He had the job the past two seasons.
There's lots of competition though, with rookie and former track standout Jerome Mathis as well as cornerback Philip Buchanon in the mix.
The Texans are looking to upgrade the position after failing to score a touchdown on a kickoff or punt last season and finishing in the bottom half of the AFC in both categories.
Swinton played in 13 games last season for Detroit, returning 18 kickoffs for 410 yards and 16 punts for 104 yards. He also caught 18 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown.
His path to the NFL was a winding one. He spent time in the Arena League 2 and the Canadian Football League before signing with Dallas in 2001. That season he set team single-season records for kickoff return yards with more than 1,300 and combined return yards with 1,741.
Coach Dom Capers said Swinton's versatility should help him.
"The more they can do the more valuable they are to you," Capers said. "So, if Reggie can be our punt or kickoff return guy and factor in as a fourth receiver or a fifth receiver, then you're getting great value. Because when it comes down to picking that 45-man game day roster, the more guys can do the more their stocks go up."
Swinton said he hopes it doesn't come down to several players sharing the return work.
"I want to be the man," he said. "I don't want to back nobody up in the return game. That's what I do. That's what got me here."
As for his second job, Swinton or "Swintown" as he's called on the mic, has an even tougher time proving himself.
"It's tough because there's so many athletes out there who really couldn't rap and put the bad rap out there," he said. "Movie stars want to play ball, ballers want to be in movies and rap. But I just do what I do and people like it."
Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber and another former Dallas Cowboys player, Deion Sanders, have all tried their hand at rap, with varying degrees of success.
Swinton said he's been rapping since he was 14. The money he earned from football allowed him to buy a studio and start his own record label so he could realize his musical dreams.
"I love football, that's my job," he said. "But I also love rap. I grew up on that. It's part of me."
He's released his first album called "Whatcha Gone Do?" which sold several thousand copies in 2003 and his new album, "Presidential" is set for a February release.
Teammates Domanick Davis and Marcellus Rivers enjoy some of his work and members of the Texans staff rave about a new song of his called "Game Time." After practice Monday, Texans intern Christian Campbell, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, was pestering Swinton for a copy of the track.
Swinton is soaking up the flavor of the rich Houston rap scene and considers local rap star Paul Wall, who's set to release his major label debut, a friend.
"It's great to be here in Houston and learn from Paul Wall and rap with him," he said.
A couple of big name artists are scheduled to appear on "Presidential," which could help the player gain credibility as a rapper. Guest stars include Wall, platinum-selling California rapper E-40 and a member of the R&B trio Tony Toni Tone.
The Arkansas native is cool and confident on the field and is much the same when he raps. He's got an interesting voice and a good delivery.
And he's not shy about his skills - even dropping a short, but clever, freestyle while still drenched in sweat after a two-hour practice.
"I'm unstoppable, try to get me that's impossible," an animated Swintown rhymed. "I move like the ocean and my waves will be tossin' ya. Who's rockin' ya. It's your boy Reggie Swinton comin' down the field, 89 ya'll be missing."
Although he dabbles with his rap during the season, he said the majority of that work is done in the offseason.
"I don't like to mix the two because I don't want nobody saying I'm not focused on football," he said.
The Texans continue camp with one practice on Tuesday.
---__
NOTES: First round pick Travis Johnson and fellow rookie Tim Brown fought at the end of a play in practice Monday. Several players jumped in to stop the fight and both Johnson and Brown ended up on the ground. ...The Texans, who practiced in full pads on Sunday, went back to shoulder pads and shorts Monday. Capers said he likes to mix it up to change the speed and tempo of practice. ...DE Carlos Williams missed practice for the second day with a hyperextended right elbow. CB Jon Pendergrass (right knee) and LB Zeke Moreno (left leg) also missed practice Monday with injuries.
The rap on Reggie Swinton
KRISTIE RIEKEN
Associated Press
HOUSTON - Reggie Swinton is out to prove himself on and off the football field.
The 30-year-old is fighting to land the return job in his first season with the Houston Texans. In his spare time, he's a rapper, looking to gain acceptance and shake the stigma that athletes can't rap.
"When you're a free agent like myself that's bouncing around you're never comfortable and you always gotta prove something to somebody," Swinton, who is with his third team in five seasons, said after practice Monday. "I know I can play ball ... but it's still no comfort level."
The Texans' return duties are up for grabs after the team cut J.J. Moses in May. He had the job the past two seasons.
There's lots of competition though, with rookie and former track standout Jerome Mathis as well as cornerback Philip Buchanon in the mix.
The Texans are looking to upgrade the position after failing to score a touchdown on a kickoff or punt last season and finishing in the bottom half of the AFC in both categories.
Swinton played in 13 games last season for Detroit, returning 18 kickoffs for 410 yards and 16 punts for 104 yards. He also caught 18 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown.
His path to the NFL was a winding one. He spent time in the Arena League 2 and the Canadian Football League before signing with Dallas in 2001. That season he set team single-season records for kickoff return yards with more than 1,300 and combined return yards with 1,741.
Coach Dom Capers said Swinton's versatility should help him.
"The more they can do the more valuable they are to you," Capers said. "So, if Reggie can be our punt or kickoff return guy and factor in as a fourth receiver or a fifth receiver, then you're getting great value. Because when it comes down to picking that 45-man game day roster, the more guys can do the more their stocks go up."
Swinton said he hopes it doesn't come down to several players sharing the return work.
"I want to be the man," he said. "I don't want to back nobody up in the return game. That's what I do. That's what got me here."
As for his second job, Swinton or "Swintown" as he's called on the mic, has an even tougher time proving himself.
"It's tough because there's so many athletes out there who really couldn't rap and put the bad rap out there," he said. "Movie stars want to play ball, ballers want to be in movies and rap. But I just do what I do and people like it."
Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber and another former Dallas Cowboys player, Deion Sanders, have all tried their hand at rap, with varying degrees of success.
Swinton said he's been rapping since he was 14. The money he earned from football allowed him to buy a studio and start his own record label so he could realize his musical dreams.
"I love football, that's my job," he said. "But I also love rap. I grew up on that. It's part of me."
He's released his first album called "Whatcha Gone Do?" which sold several thousand copies in 2003 and his new album, "Presidential" is set for a February release.
Teammates Domanick Davis and Marcellus Rivers enjoy some of his work and members of the Texans staff rave about a new song of his called "Game Time." After practice Monday, Texans intern Christian Campbell, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, was pestering Swinton for a copy of the track.
Swinton is soaking up the flavor of the rich Houston rap scene and considers local rap star Paul Wall, who's set to release his major label debut, a friend.
"It's great to be here in Houston and learn from Paul Wall and rap with him," he said.
A couple of big name artists are scheduled to appear on "Presidential," which could help the player gain credibility as a rapper. Guest stars include Wall, platinum-selling California rapper E-40 and a member of the R&B trio Tony Toni Tone.
The Arkansas native is cool and confident on the field and is much the same when he raps. He's got an interesting voice and a good delivery.
And he's not shy about his skills - even dropping a short, but clever, freestyle while still drenched in sweat after a two-hour practice.
"I'm unstoppable, try to get me that's impossible," an animated Swintown rhymed. "I move like the ocean and my waves will be tossin' ya. Who's rockin' ya. It's your boy Reggie Swinton comin' down the field, 89 ya'll be missing."
Although he dabbles with his rap during the season, he said the majority of that work is done in the offseason.
"I don't like to mix the two because I don't want nobody saying I'm not focused on football," he said.
The Texans continue camp with one practice on Tuesday.
---__
NOTES: First round pick Travis Johnson and fellow rookie Tim Brown fought at the end of a play in practice Monday. Several players jumped in to stop the fight and both Johnson and Brown ended up on the ground. ...The Texans, who practiced in full pads on Sunday, went back to shoulder pads and shorts Monday. Capers said he likes to mix it up to change the speed and tempo of practice. ...DE Carlos Williams missed practice for the second day with a hyperextended right elbow. CB Jon Pendergrass (right knee) and LB Zeke Moreno (left leg) also missed practice Monday with injuries.
