An old for the retired from the NFL to pursue what makes him happy. Now Disney is suing him.
Credit: PBS
was born on a naval base in San Diego, California, in 1987 in Caronda and but he grew up in Houston, Texas, where he played at Alief Taylor High School.
After graduating, Bennett played for Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas (Gig ’em!) before starting his NFL career with the who drafted him in the second round of the 2008 edition .
Credit: NFL
According to the NFLBennett played for the until 2012 when he started playing for the giants. His NFL career continued with the from 2013 to 2015 before Bennett joined the in 2016 as .
But according to Atlantic, Bennett’s time in did not afford him all the pomp, circumstance and glory one could have imagined. After all, the are known for prowess.
So, after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, got on a plane to Japan in search of inspiration. Bennett says that during a spiritual journey through the Land of the Rising Sun, Bennett visited Kyoto and Tokyo (with a tour guide recommended by his friend and former strategist ), he found the inspiration he was hoping to find.
“It hit me,” Bennett said. “I don’t love everything I do. In fact, I hate it more than I love it.
That day, a 10-year NFL veteran, has finally hung up his cleats so he can pursue what he loves, what makes him happy, and what brings him meaning and fulfillment.
And now Disney is suing him.
It’s because despite all his success in the NFL, wasn’t happy to be known only as a . While many are aware of his skills in the field, what they may not know is that Bennett started writing children’s books in 2014.
Credit: Martellus Bennett
“I don’t want anyone bringing up the Super Bowl,” Bennett said. “I want them to say, ‘Oh, and he played .’”
Before took to the Palisades Stage at Paradise Bay in California Disney Adventure at Disneyland, a Walt Disney Company representative presented her with a Mickey Mouse hat, which she graciously accepted. He strapped it to his head atop his 6ft 6in frame and took his 8-year-old daughter by the hand.
The sounds of the cheering crowd of Disney guests ahead of him at Paradise Bay must have reminded him of those days on the domain, but this time he was on stage as Disney announced its partnership with the former . No, he won’t catch Mickey’s passes, but let’s just say Disney got his first pick.
Disney is currently working on adapting Bennett’s children’s book series titled, Hi AJin a animated series for Disney Junior. The series is inspired by Bennett’s daughter, Austin Jett Rose Bennett. (Dad just calls her “Jett.”)
Credit: D23
Disneyland Resort recently hosted a Disney Junior event at the park, and everyone from Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Martellus and Jett Bennett took part in a celebration of exciting new content coming to the Disney Channel for young children.
“You know how during the []after a is chosen, they give him the team hat, and he takes pictures [with the commissioner of the NFL]? It was really like that when [they] gave me the Mickey hat. I felt like I got drafted again,” Bennett said.
Credit: D23
During the festivities at Disneyland, Disney Branded Television shared what’s on deck in the channel’s lineup of new content through 2024, which includes the Hi AJ series.
“In everything we do, we have a responsibility to tell the stories that matter, and those stories resonate with children around the world,” said Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television. “It’s been very exciting, and I couldn’t be more excited to share all the great shows coming out soon!”
Credit: D23
Bennett, who is the executive producer of the new Disney Junior series, says that Hi AJ appeals to children and children at heart.
” It’s awesome ; it’s colorful; that’s wonderful; and it’s really funny,” he said.
