MARK WALHBERG & YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II - MILLION DOLLAZ WORTH OF GAME EPISODE 394

My god. Oh, this Nick over here. >> Yeah, he nicks. He He nicks. >> You know what? They're not used to sixes and five. It's over. >> They're not used to winning. >> No, they not. That's why that's why they chasing [ __ ] old men around the city after the after a win. >> I know. >> Yo, winning. You're chasing somebody to San Antonio. >> You know what I was thinking? Cuz when they beat the Celtics last year, then they went and celebrated and then they just lost. >> I didn't think they were going to go all the way. I don't know how they pulled it off. >> Jen Brunson hit some incredible shots, man. He's He's the guy. >> Oh my god. >> He is the guy by far. I don't think anybody else is really >> He's that guy. >> How many games Brian going to play though? >> 60. I already talked to him. >> Oh, okay. I'll say 60. That's the number. >> You know, he's also he's also strategically like the place where they have the best golf courses in the world. >> Yes. >> Right. All that whole area between Pennsylvania, New Jersey. >> Oh my god. >> Even the Manhattan, you know, Hampton's golf. I don't really I didn't really golf with him yet cuz you know I don't shoot nothing less than scratch. You know I'm usually plus handicap. >> Scratching that ass. >> I do. I do. >> Listen I will not I will not say that if you cuz I know you're a real athlete. So if you actually apply yourself >> that's what I was just talking about. >> Then you could get good in golf. But it is the hardest game in the world by far. >> I only got all kinds of game boxing too. You see the skills hands. He got everything. He only I only only golf at Palm Valley. You know, you need me to get you you in there, I can get you in there. >> He [clears throat] knows the name. Marian, [applause] Aronomic, >> all of them. Ace Center, Green Valley. I made Remember, I made five movies in Philly. I played a lot of golf in all those places. The best cricket club. >> Yeah, >> man. Philadelphia Country Club. >> Ready? You're now tuned in to Million Dollars River. What we gonna do is we gonna take you back to the 1960s Mississippi. That is It's funny that Yaya played the FBI agent because one time I went to the the Huskal because I was impersonating the FBI agent. You know what I'm saying? I try to arrest him. I knocked on his own door. Freeze boy. He what the hell FBI? I tried to get him. He wind up he wound up calling the police and get me arrested. But that's another story. >> That's the Scarpa game. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. That's that's how they play. Now you got you got Mark, right? Mark Warbar. You got Listen, Yaya. Listen, man. Abdul Matin the second. We got two great actors right here. But what they said is we going to go all the way back in time before most of y'all was born 1960. I need to know like being in Mississippi 1960s, both of y'all running around. How was it going back in time? How was it for both of y'all? >> That's a great question, man. You putting me back in into the psychology of that character. >> Mhm. >> It's a uh Well, one, what I've been saying, it's a wicked world. You know what I'm saying? Like, we live in a we live in a wicked world. And when I step back in, you know, into the shoes of that of uh Wayne Strider, he is a man who's who's from Mississippi. He's trying to do good. He's trying to make good happen by doing good in a wicked world. You know what I'm saying? So that's that that's his test. He's a lot like a lot like myself, you know, educated, would have done things the right way to, you know, get up the ranks. But then at some point, you know, you look left and you look right, you end up back at home trying to make a difference and and and and and now it's things are getting scary. You know what I'm saying? So that's that's that's sort of what I think it feels like to be Wayne Strider at that time, but he's got to still persist, you know? Um Yeah. Yeah. >> What was it like for you, Mark? Uh, you know, it's funny because I had actually flirted with the idea of playing Greg Scarpa uh in another movie with Antoine Fukqua directing where but it was much more of a biopic and about his life in Brooklyn uh after his um you know dealings with the FBI. But the fact that this is an actual true story that this guy in the 60s even though he was one of the most notorious hitmen he also was working as an FBI agent and he thought he was James Bond. So he was doing all these things while he was navigating in this other world. And most of the time when you think FBI agent, you think, okay, or an FBI informant, you think, okay, he's utilizing the system to kind of navigate in the business. But he [clears throat] protected his cohorts, right? But he really thought he was doing a lot of good. And uh he didn't keep this a secret from a lot of other people that were in that family. You know, they uh they were aware of it. And uh I just thought it was a fascinating story and how these guys can kind of relate to each other and um you know they're not the most likely of friends but they really grow to understand each other and I thought you know uh it was an amazing screenplay. I was really excited to work with Elegance Bratton and to work with this guy, you know, who is um, you know, classically trained, you know, everything I learned, I kind of learned on the job and, uh, to see how that mixes and for me it's always about the movie and you're only as good as the guy next to you. And he really carries this movie in a way where uh, you know, it's it's it's another notch in his belt and another level that he's showing in his talent. >> I'm I'm I'm racking my brain trying to get back to the question that you asked though. You know what I'm saying? Like I haven't I haven't It's dangerous. That's what it's like. You know what I'm saying? It's And I'm black and I work for the FBI. So Wayne is Wayne Wayne is not just trying to do the right thing because he's a good man. He's a good man, but he's he also don't have the luxury of doing things differently. He got to stay clean. I got to stay clean. >> Mhm. Man, I want to do so much to these people. >> I want to do so much. You know what I'm saying? But I can't. If I do, I get the satisfaction of that one moment, >> but everything that I've been working for, it goes away. >> It's compromised. >> You know what I'm saying? It's is it's compromised. My family, my reputation, >> you know what I'm saying? I'm I'm I'm I'm supposed to stand for something. >> I believe in something. I don't got nowhere to get out that aggression. You see what I'm saying? So, Wayne is frustrated. Wayne is pissed off, >> but he holds it all inside of this this frame of of of high moral character. You know, he's waiting. He's waiting, buying his time, being patient, wishing the [ __ ] would. You know what I'm saying? But but but but but he's but he's he's walking that line. And then here come here comes Scarpa saying, "Yeah, I see I see you got something in there." You know what I'm saying? I see. You know you know >> the trailer >> that's the that's the game. >> The trailer is unbelievable. >> Oh, I appreciate it. Appreciate it. >> The trailer is one of those things that soon as you see it, you like, I got to see that [ __ ] movie right there. >> That's what's up. What point in the movie were y'all doing a scene? >> And this question for both of y'all and you're like, "He's the [ __ ] in it." Like, "Okay, he's in it." Like he you giving your dialogue. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And you thinking, "Okay, he's the [ __ ] in it." And he's giving you the dialogue and you're like, "Okay, he's in it." >> Let me jump in. Sure. Sure. Sure. >> Mark was there before we started. >> Yeah. Mark was Mark was I mean that's that's what I saw. >> I came on to the movie later and so I had a Zoom meeting just to introduce you know introduce ourselves and say you know say what's up and >> I don't I don't I don't need much. I'm I'm I'm pretty independent but you know it was it was it's good to meet just to rap just to have an introduction uh uh just before we start the work. And so on that on that Zoom, bro was so dialed in already. I think we may have said a couple words or we just we just talked about the character, but I could hear it. I could hear it in his voice. I could see it in in in his eyes. He was ready. He was ready to go to work. It was the It was the focus. It was the clarity. He wasn't thinking. He was just answering. He was just talking. I was like, "Oh, he's there already." I was like, "Oh, he's there already. >> He already arrived." >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He was there. I was like, "Oh, he there already." >> He thought you was talking to Mark. He wasn't. >> He there already. So, I was like, "Okay, I got to go to work. I got to go to work." I had just just came on the job, but but I had saw that Mark was Mark was on the job. You know what I'm saying? So, I was like, "Okay, got to go to work." So, you know, I did my best to show up on set to be able to do the same thing. But he was >> I also had more time to live with it. you know, I had signed on beforehand and you know, it was the kind of thing, okay, when you read a piece of material like that and you, you know, doing everything you can to kind of push it uphill to get it made. I'm like, okay, I'm starting to prepare. I'm starting to like read the script out loud multiple times a day. And it was like the fighter, you know, to be believable and authentic in a role like this, you know, you have to spend the time really developing the character and, you know, going through the motions and putting in the work. You know, it was like we never knew we were going to get the fighter made. At one time it was a $70 million movie and then we made it independently. But you know, when you're training as a boxer, you can't like take work six months, take six months off and expect to pick up where you left off. You know what I mean? In order to look the part and be the part. You got to become the part, you know, and then it's, you know, effortlessly you play the part. That's the Jimmy Kagny philosophy, right? You get the part, you become the part. Now with no great effort, you play the part. You are the part. But uh I also knew with Yaya I was like for me I wanted to just make sure that he felt comfortable and he knew you know this is a team effort. You're only as good as the guy next to you. And he was the one who had the responsibility of really carrying the movie. And you know this this time I was kind of playing the flashier role and he had to kind of play this kind of stoic uh straight guy who then becomes the guy after all the proddding and you know the you know the pushing for me. Um, and so, you know, we wanted to make sure that he felt as comfortable as possible, but also knew that everybody was coming to to to play and you have a responsibility in telling the story and doing everybody justice uh, who was involved in real life and so that that responsibility carries a lot of weight. >> This episode of Million Worth of Game is brought to you by DraftKings. Slot fans, the wait is over. Lightning Link is available online for the first time ever, and DraftKing Casino has it. In fact, DraftKing Casino was the home of Lightning Link. New casino players can play five bucks and get 1,000 spins, including 500 Lightning Link spins. That's 50 spins a day, varying values for your first 20 days. Strike now. Strike now to claim your offer. 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Grab an espresso sweet cream and espresso cafe mocha can today on stellar coffee.com, Amazon or select Target, 7-Eleven and Circle K locations around the country. Stella Blueue, the best coffee on the go, right? >> How was it for you guys on set? Like when you get to set, you're playing a character. >> Mhm. >> Like are you like Mark or you like Yaya? when y'all get to set into is like, okay, we got 15 minutes before we shoot or are you guys like, no, when I get the set, I'm already in >> kind of being the part and you know, I'm messing with him all the time. And I could tell I was getting under his skin a little bit. It's one of those things where we had to earn each other's respect in real life, too, >> uh, as actors. You know, here's a classically trained actor and I'm coming in, you know, I'm playing this particular part. But, um, you know, it just happened very organically. You know what I'm saying? It was uh it was nice to see how prepared he was and and everybody else who came to to to be into the film. >> Yeah. But I I I put my characters on and I take them off. >> I don't I don't take my characters home. >> Uh I don't I don't take my characters home on accident. When I do is because I love living inside of the character and I want to see and I want to see um I want to explore more of what it's like to be them. But I I I I practice good habits and I don't I don't I ain't trying to lose my mind in those. >> Yeah. You don't want to go too deep. People go deep down the >> Yeah. I heard some people they want to be called that person on set. They No, I don't need to do that. >> Like that's what I was asking like when it's like all right, cut. Do they go Mark or do they go? >> But look, we kind of we it's a small independent movie, you know, that we now have a big major studio release, but we, you know, with the time we were making it on our own and so we kind of showed up and when we showed up, you know, we were like, "Okay, we'll do maybe a little bit of rehearsal, at least talk about the scenes, but we're also getting into wardrobe, doing all that stuff, makeup, hair test right away." So, we were kind of on set feeling it out, becoming the part, and then we kind of dove right in. How do how do but how do you delete delete yourself and make sure none of your personal none of yourself none of your mark or yaya outlooks views approaches um vocal tones get inside of that character? How do you delete you >> as you walking into this character? How do you delete you totally? Because you you know you can see both of y'all you can see interviews. You can see different stuff when you that's the only time that people get to see you as a person as a human being as a outside of an actor. They get to see you hear you >> a part of us. >> Listen. So how do you walk into a character and drop you off before you go and set step inside the character? >> Yeah. >> No, because >> well again I think it's a lot of the prep. It's got to be great writing. First of all, if it's on the page, then you could see it and then you can kind of figure out a way to put yourself in that character's shoes. But also, I think you also try to find little things from your real life that you could draw on because that makes the portrayal more authentic anyway. You know what I'm saying? So, finding anything that could kind of help you relate and connect to it in a way. You know, I was I had the good fortune of working with Grace Scarper Jr. who had just come home from a very long uh stretch and he had actually risen higher in the ranks of the mafia than his father and he worked with me the entire time. So, I had him to kind of lean on >> and uh you know, help me out. But I think when you're doing accents, voices, the walk, the look, the whole thing, you got to really spend the time, studying the person, finding and researching anything you can find out about him, any interviews, any kind of, you know, snippets that I could hear on like wire taps and all that stuff. I was constantly listening to his voice and putting on that accent cuz, you know, as a guy from Boston, you're doing a guy from Bensonhurst in New York. If you don't get that accent right, you know what I mean? It's like you're playing somebody from, you know, from South Philly or Fishtown or something. you don't get the accent right, you're going to hear that [ __ ] forever. >> Speaking of accents, who has the better accent? Is it Boston or is it New Orleans? Is it getting in the [ __ ] car or is [laughter] it pretty? That was pretty good, right? Who is it? Say round. >> Yeah, >> it ain't It ain't a for me. I always felt like it was nails on the chalkboard, >> right? Boston accent. I was like, man, I was constantly when I started acting, I was like, I have to lose this accent. I'm not going to get any jobs. I never wanted to play a Boston guy. And then when I started playing a couple of Boston characters would be the departed or fighter or Perfect Storm, people like, "Oh, love it." It was actually Boston was voted favorite accent. I don't know how this happened. >> Who was doing the voting? >> I don't know. But it was I saw >> Patriot fans. >> Yeah, exactly. >> [ __ ] Celtic fans. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> You know, you know what's crazy? Them two spots is two spots that I have some of the best food at. >> I go to Newberry Street. I go to Salty Girl, Newberry Street or Contessa on top of Newberry Hotel. Larry Larry, my man Larry, you know, Larry Larry Larry got >> three, four restaurants. But the >> Yeah, he doing it. >> But the thing about New Orleans, >> there's no seasoning of food anywhere I ever been. The seasoning is just like >> it's right there. >> If you try to just take it with you, it just >> the way a lot of times in New Orleans made four or five movies in Philly, the greatest movie ever did. >> Yeah. >> Vincible. Who are you talking about? Vince people, >> listen, when you get named an honorary Philadelphiaian and you get that kind of love >> being from a rival sports town, that's a big big deal. You know, I did not take that lightly. I mean, >> let me ask you, did did like did it make you like a >> like after the Patriots is out like they're gone like a like a 10% Eagles fan doing? >> I always root for the Eagles. I feel like I I played an Eagle. I feel like that was as close as I got to ever fulfilling my dream as a professional athlete, putting on the uniform. the first time I ever put on a football uniform and I played football growing up, you know, but sandlot football, you know, playing tag and tackle on the concrete, but I never got to put on the pads. So, when I did that, that was a big big deal for me. And even when the the only time that I was actually okay when the Patriots lost the Super Bowl was when they lost to the Eagles because I felt like it was a win-win for me because I knew what it meant to the city. I knew what it meant to the fans. I knew what it meant to blue collar, hardworking people who don't have much else >> joy to hang their hat on except for with their sports teams and Philly is as you know proud a hardcore bluecollar city as you could get. So I yeah I was I a little disappointed. Yes. But not like 18 and one we lose to the Giants not once but twice. That still hurts. >> I mean losing New York team is the worst. >> Yeah. So you guys feel the same way? >> The way they act is just unbelievable. >> Exactly. the oldtimer. >> It's just not right. >> Chase it over. >> For your for your uh uh uh when you rap, right? When you perform, >> do you find yourself in a different in a different character? I mean, I know you do a storytelling from the point of view point of view of of truth, but is there is there is there a sense is there a sense of putting on a different character? Nah, I just see rapping is just you just going up there and doing you. It's not really No, I don't have to put too much in. I don't have See, rapping with rap, you don't got to be on every night. >> Some nights you you just go out there and you just be like this [laughter] and I'm tired tonight, man. [screaming] Some nights you go out there, you a little acting. You got to be on every night, man. You got to be on every time or the m or it's not going to come out a great movie. It is >> Jay-Z can go up there and go time forward. >> Okay, I see what you're saying. >> Time forward. The whole crowd, they moving more than Jay-Z. >> He just up there like this. >> So then, but then you got guys like Buster. >> Uhhuh. >> Who's going to go up there every word he's saying going to have a movement with him? Spliffar going right be beside him doing the same movement. You know what I mean? >> And then you got when I was coming up, >> you know, he was my hype man, but he wasn't that good. He was he hating on me. >> He wasn't that good. >> I was a better rapper. I used to write his stuff. Now, now Mark and Yaya, >> he never stopped. >> Mark and Yaya, this is what I need to know. >> What was that rock bottom bottom moment >> where y'all locked in and said, "I'm taking this serious." Where was you at in your life? What was you doing with City? Do you remember the moment? Do you remember the day? Do you remember that one thing that locks you in and say, "This is going to be my life." and anything else it >> it's univilized >> for me multiple moments in my personal life you know realizing that I was going to turn my life around that I was going to do something productive with my life >> and that and then when I started having success how I was going to help other people growing up in similar situations to be able to change and better their lives and show people that there is despite the obstacles that you face there are many opportunities and ways to go and turn your life around and have a major impact on people's lives in a positive way. Career-wise, the first time I got the opportunity, cuz you my music career was fading fast. As quick as I had success, it was going away. But I met Penny Marshall and it was like I wasn't really into the idea of acting even though I loved movies and I watched movies every day with my dad. We would go to the theater and he was a truck driver and a teamster. He would take me to work with him, the youngest of nine kids. So when I wasn't in school, I was going with my dad. But I never thought it was possible for me. But when I got that first opportunity with Penny Marshall to make a movie, I was like, "This is my calling. This is what I'm supposed to do, and this is going to put me in the platform to then do what God's really chosen for for me for giving me a second chance." You know, which is why I always talked about you. I found you so, you know, you inspired so many people because, you know, you were able to articulate >> where you came from, what you went through, and what you were going to do now given a new opportunity. >> You know, >> did Penny Marshall believe in you at the time? >> She did. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, what happened was she was making a movie. She had seen me at this um uh Calvin Klein show and she was like, "I want to meet this kid." I just wanted to meet her because I grew up watching her on television. And it was the first time that I just I I don't know. She felt like my mom, my sister, somebody that I grew up with in the neighborhood, even though she was from the Bronx, it was very relatable. And her and Danny DeVito were people that I grew up watching on television. So, I was like, "Wow, I want really want to go meet her, but I'm not interested in the movie." and she talked me into we sat in a room in New York here and she was like, "Marky, just read the lines. You're an actor anyway. You're acting like a tough guy. You act like a rapper. You're an actor. Try it." And so I read that day for four different parts. >> And I found myself pursuing her and chasing her down in LA to go and do a screen test and I started pursuing the part. And then when I got onto the set, I wasn't just on the set when I was shooting. I was there on days off cuz I wanted to know what everybody was doing, how the whole thing worked. and uh spent a lot of time with like the great late great Gregory Hines. He would drive he and I would drive back to work together every day and you know I pick his brain and Danny Devito's brain and and really kind of was a student of the game and I said once I got that one opportunity I wasn't going to do anything to mess it up and I was willing to outwork everybody and uh luckily I'm still in the business today. >> That was a hell of a cash you had with your first movie. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. It was amazing opportunity. >> Yeah. I was in my phone cuz I was looking up, excuse me, I was looking up a u a journal entry from 2009. >> And it's crazy because it's not crazy. It's it's man, I really made it happen, man. He's Can I just say this? His talent is different level. And I don't want to put any kind of pressure on him, but I'm so eager to see when you see certain people in a at a certain stage of their life, their career, whether it be in sports, business, entertainment, anything, where he's going to take it. >> That's what I you know, it's like you I knew I wasn't I was working with somebody who was really special when I met you. No, seriously. >> Check this out. Check this out. So, I'm uh >> I want to hear this. >> Nambdi had just Nambdi Assam had just got his his his big contract, that big uh contract >> uh for the Raiders. for the Raiders. 20. >> For the Raiders. 2009, I think. >> Right before he came to the Eagles. >> Right before he came Right. Yeah. Yeah. Right before he came to the Eagles. >> And uh I'm at Berkeley. Uh I ran track for Berkeley. Hurdles. Yeah. Hurdles. Yeah. So, uh >> these guys do their homework. So, yeah. Real journalist right here. They're not playing. I take the year off of school because my dad died. >> And so we I move back at home and and and we trying to make ends meet. >> So I find this opportunity. I see well I don't find this opportunity. I hunt down this opportunity because Namdi just made all that money and I'm like I'm about to go learn how to play football. >> Damn, I'm out of school right now. You know what I'm saying? So I go I start training at Berkeley High School with my coach who with my football with my with my track coach who now uh coaches at Berkeley High School and uh he makes a phone call to Southern Oregon University. He's like, "Hey man, I got this guy I got this, you know, this 4.0 student. He fast, you know, he don't know nothing about nothing, but you know, he's a good kid. You know, just give him a shout." And I went to to to Southern Oregon University to go try out for the football team because I because I'm broke and Nomi just went made all that money and I'm like, >> "Well, let me go see how I can make something shake." So, check check out this journal entry. I I wrote this journal entry the night before and uh part of it goes like this. I will have an exceptional workout at SOOU tomorrow. I will make the team. I'll start every game at cornerback. I'mma read it straight just like it is, too. I'll finish the season with 15 interceptions >> and 87 tackles. I don't know nothing about football, [laughter] >> but I'm trying to make something shake, dog. >> Go ahead. >> She had more than one. >> I will be in every game >> or better all of that stuff, right? And at the end, I say, I'm going to sleep. I'm thinking about providing for my family. Our water is cut off. So is my phone. I can tell that my mom and my sisters want me to help so much. Uh I appreciate them or I'm sorry. I can tell that my mom and my sisters want to help me so much. I appreciate them. And through this vision, I will return the favor. Thank you, Jesus, for favor. >> That's where I was in my life. You know what I'm saying? In 2009, I drove up to S. I got got my brother to drive me up to SOOU. I go to Berkeley, dog. I ain't making that team. I found me a little team. I sized I looked up everybody on the roster. I sized them up. Yeah, I could I I could beat them. I go up there. The coach first thing the coach do, he say, "Okay, what position?" I'm like, "Cornerback." "Okay, let me see you back pedal." He put me through one drill. He was like, "Nah, bro." You know, so he was like, he was like, "Hey, you know, >> let me ask you a question. Is it true to really be great, you have to be somewhat delusional?" >> Absolutely. I I had to. I had to. when nobody else believes. If you don't believe, you're not going to believe. >> We going to come back to that. >> No, because when he came home from jail, right, you got to understand >> probably 85% of my family thought he was [ __ ] crazy. >> On social media, >> like he came home from jail. He had he stayed in nanny's at the nanny house in the middle room. >> He didn't have no money, no resources. >> But he said, "I'm going to give a message out." >> God does things differently. He would go he went to the to the to the corner store and bought a thing of ketchup, put it on his head and laid on the ground and said, "Don't wait till it's too late. Don't wait till to till to till to till to till to till it's too late till you lay on the ground in the ambulance to change the streets. Don't wait till it's too late." And my family called said that [ __ ] lost his mind. >> But you saw it. >> I saw it because every time I get Listen, you got to think about this. >> When you was reading and I want I want to get back to that cuz I want you to break it all the way down to how you got here. >> Yeah. when you was reading your stats, I said, "Damn, he think like me." Because I I I literally intercept it. They only what 10 12 games. He said he said he said multiple picks in the game. >> I walked up. Listen, I never forget we in Houston, right? We had the McDonald's All-American basketball game, right? >> Bronnie James playing in the game. We see LeBron. I said, "Gil, come on. Walk with me." I go over to LeBron. Why are we up? I said, "What we doing? Check Rock. When we going to do this?" Gil tells me, "What the [ __ ] is you?" I said, "No, either you or your son, what we doing?" >> I said, "I know I can get one point on LeBron. Just one point." No, >> you can't. >> I said, "I get one point. I believe that to this day. You find out." So, so, so my thing is like I stepped up so many athletes [clears throat] in my time and I I call them out for some reason. They get nervous and laugh. They never take on my what's name. But whatever the case may be, in this world that we live in today, yesterday, whatever, if people not laughing at you or think that you're crazy, that mean you're late. >> Right. >> I understand [clears throat] that. >> Listen, think about it. >> I understand that. >> When you're going after your dream or you're going after something that you believe in. >> Mhm. >> When it's popular, everybody is accepting to it. Like, damn, you got they they going But when it's not, you're crazy. You're goofy. You You just insane >> because we live in a world like this. And I think about it like this, and nobody say this, but I gotta say, and I always say, winning ain't for everybody, >> there was only 5,400 players that ever played in the NBA since the beginning of the NBA. We only have the the conversation about Mike, LeBron, and Kobe. >> Yeah. >> Out of 5400 players, think about that. >> But the people who are blessed with so many gifts and natural talents and attributes don't have to work that hard at it. It's the people who don't that are out there out working them every day. And those are the guys that you got to watch out for. Those are the guys that want it that much more and are willing to go that much further to actually get it, >> you know. And what you were doing was really trying to make a positive impact on people and, you know, not take your situation um and not do something good about it. You continue to do that. That's why it just rang so true to me when I would see you running in the rain. Stop and just kind of drop some real knowledge on somebody. You know what I mean? He was like, >> "I want you to finish that though, cuz you was ready to break something down." >> Well, that was my mindset. >> But how did you then go to the acting? >> Yeah. >> I had I had I was Well, uh >> And you drove back. They said, "No, you ain't getting on this field." >> And then Okay. And then I started uh I was like, "Damn, back to reality." Had a whole another episode where I was where where where I'm sitting on the porch. I was thinking about whether or not to where I'm sitting on the porch and I'm and I'm and I'm and I'm thinking about doing something to make some money. >> And uh I tell my mama what's on my mind because she can see I got something on my mind. And I tell my mama what's what's on my mind. She got up. She said, "Oh no." She she got up. She went in the house. She came back. She gave me $20. I didn't want to take it. She put it in my hand and I took it. She said, "Don't ever let me hear you talk like that." >> And then I got my boy's camera and I start shooting photography. I start shooting weddings. I start doing whatever I could do to make some money. You know what I'm saying? And uh couple months after that, I got a job. I finally got a job working in working in city planning. I got laid off from my job. And when I got laid off from my job, I was like, "Man, look, that acting thing that I did, you know, in college, that was fun. I'm about to go put everything into that." And as soon as I chose acting, as soon as I chose acting, everything opened up. >> But let me ask you a question. After you studied and you put all that time in and you know, you showed everybody that you know that you you were studying at school that you had the gifts and the talent, why didn't you then pursue it right after? Why did you then go and chase football? It just would didn't seem like it was a possibility >> with uh with with acting. I studied architecture in my undergraduate. So I I took a couple a couple acting classes. So I knew I was good, but I didn't know that I could do that. I didn't know that that was that that was >> You only took a couple classes. >> Yeah. For my undergraduate. I still went I went to graduate school, you know, to to to get my to get my degree to to get my master's degree in acting. But in undergraduate, I studied architecture. So I was just doing what I was what I set out to do. >> That's how I ended up working in city planning. And I was just I couldn't get no job. 2008, nobody's hiring. 2007, my dad died. 2009, I'm out of school. You know what I'm saying? I'm I'm I'm I'm down on my luck trying to figure things out. I finally get a job. I get a break. It's feeling good. Then I get laid off from that. >> Now I'm like, man, okay, that acting thing was fun. Now, now it ain't about money, right? >> I ain't looking for money no more. Now I'm just like, man, what was fun? What did I enjoy that acting thing? Okay, boom. I'm gonna go give three years of of of hard work towards that and see what happens. And at the end of 14 months, I got into Yale and Harvard and NYU and so and so so and so forth. But to that delusional thing, absolutely, man. I was just like, I believe I believe in myself to this day. I mean, I went up to try to go try out for football, you know what I'm saying? Because because I I believe in myself in that way. And my family also believes in me, too. Uh-huh. >> I never had nobody in my family tell me that I couldn't do something. >> That's a They knew you wasn't making that football team, [ __ ] >> They didn't know about They was like, "This [ __ ] is crazy." >> What the [ __ ] is wrong with you, baby? Go ahead, baby. You can do it. >> I was in my drawers, dog. I was out in my drawers. >> No, cuz that's what track people running, bro. You run all out some [laughter] trick. >> They like this is the [ __ ] going on with me? Back backpedaling, man. Backpedaling. I was trying to get >> backed pedal all messed up. Talking about it was going to be prom. >> I was trying to get it. 15. >> Tell me you was going to be coach prom. >> 15 interceptions, man. >> In 10 games. >> He said 15 for them, right? They said 15. >> Did that ever happen in NFL before? No. >> Did [snorts] anybody ever get 15 college? No. 15? >> What's like a high number? >> Six. Five. >> I would say the Yeah, the highest. I mean, he wrote that down, too. That was college, so they only played 10 games. >> And this is his first time ever playing football. >> No, no, no. He had God laughing. God was up there like 15 interceptions. [laughter] >> I just put you through Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, you 15 interceptions, >> but that's where I was. >> Yeah. >> So, >> well, you're willing to go out though and try. >> You know what I mean? You were going to find a way no matter what. >> Absolutely. And that's the thing how how determined you are. You know when other people like I said when something comes easy you don't cherish it as much as when you work for something to really build a foundation. >> How old was that? That was that was 13 20 almost 20 years ago you know. Uh >> man I wish people that was 21 22 had that right now. >> Yeah. You know, people that's people that's gonna watch this episode that's watching y'all show that's watching, you know, this podcast, man, they need that. >> Absolutely. >> I'm about to put out this single. I don't know. I don't know much about music, but this about to go, you know, 15 time diamond. >> Yeah. >> They need that. >> You got to have some delusion, too. >> You know what I'm saying? Absolutely. >> You need that. Then you need to put the energy in. You know, >> do y'all believe I get I can get one point in LeBron? >> One point? >> Yeah. Do y'all like I'm just saying cuz I I'm belie Yeah. I mean, you'd have to heave something up from half court, but if he was if he was pressing, you never seen him ask. >> No, I'm playing if you if you get one assist to pass it to Gil. >> You never seen him play. I'm playing by myself. No, >> we play five celebrity games at the big three. He has two points and it was on a girl. >> But I was a defensive player of all the time. Of all time. >> There you don't even get in a game. >> I would never say never. >> I would never say never. Keep the dream alive. I think you get one big dog. >> That's what I'm saying. He's still delusional. >> And then now everybody got to respect. All you got to do now is show up to practice. Oh no. I'm going to get it. I'm going get I'm going get I'm going to get Brian. >> But by any means, when is it out? >> September 4th. September 4th. >> September 4th. >> It's good. It's great. >> You don't think we could have got a role in there? >> What we playing? What? Hey. >> Oh, he the FBI agent. He's the mob boss, right? Gangster, right? I would have been a cop. They come to the town. >> Okay. >> I'd have been a cop cuz they he ain't informed me he was in my town. >> Right. When we Who have been? You would have been a notorious rat. >> Okay. So, where how do we start? >> A notorious rat. You telling everybody, huh? >> When do we start? >> We can start right now. Action. >> Oh [ __ ] >> So, you just think you just going to come around my town cuz you that big old FBI and not inform me of anything? This is not how it works in Mississippi. And you? >> Yes, sir. >> YOU'VE BEEN [ __ ] THE COMMUNITY UP FOR 30 YEARS. >> My apologies, Colonel. >> I apologize. Who authorized this? >> Hey boss, I got some new information for you. What? >> You know, the guys down back on the field uh they uh they doing a little legal activities and I think we I think you need to go get him. >> I didn't tell you nothing. >> Right to tell him. Look at he's right. >> I ain't tell you nothing. He even knocked. >> He even [laughter] knocked. >> He ain't even knock. He ain't even knock. >> But that was good. [laughter] >> That's awardw winning acting right there. I think >> you you could I win award for that type of stuff. >> [ __ ] no. You want to win an award? He's a hater. >> You will win anything. >> But but but >> by any means, you better go see this >> September 4th. >> However, you you better go to the theater. Get your popcorn. >> I'm talking about you going to love this. Get your popcorn. Make sure you get extra butter. Me, I'm an extra butter guy. And I get my milk duds, too. Or if they ain't got the milk duds, I like the ra the raisinets. And if [snorts] they got them nachos with the spicy cheese, I'm getting them because I like to have my whole like I like my whole setup with me. So when you go there, take somebody with you, go on a date, take a family member, go out there and enjoy yourself. But go to the movies. Go see it in the theater. >> And this is acting >> the theater >> at its top level. >> Yes. >> This is acting at its top level. >> Yes. >> This is million dollars worth a game. >> Yes, it is. >> It's Mark Yaya >> by any means. September 4th.