Kenny Chesney plays for Saints, but football career appears over
Friday, August 17, 2007 – Kenny Chesney's pro football career lasted one practice, and now it looks like the country superstar will have to return to his regular job.
Signed to the New Orleans Saints as a free agent, the 5-6 former high school football player hit Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati for a preseason game walkthrough with the Saints - running the drills and practicing plays.
"It was a great day," said Chesney, who'd hosted several members of the team at his capacity show the night before at Riverbend Amphitheatre. "I worked my tail off...but when you get out there with those guys, they have so much heart, man...It's no wonder they were able to really become a force for the city of New Orleans after Katrina - and for the country."
Chesney, who was introduced as number seven at a morning press conference, went through all the drills - including catching several passes from All-Pro Quarterback Drew Brees before the mid-day break. "He was a lot faster than I thought he was gonna be," Brees said.
Saints Coach Sean Payton asked Chesney to field a punt, issuing a challenge: Chesney catches the punt, no practice on Monday, but should the former Gibbs High Eagle fumble, it would be a double practice instead.
Chesney asked star back Reggie Bush for advice - "Yeah, don't drop the ball."
With everyone in position, the punt was off.
There's no practice Monday.
Bush shouted, "Man I love country music!"
But it appears that this was a one-day effort for Chesney. A press release said, "they were having difficulty coming to financial terms, and it appeared that negotiations were breaking down, so Chesney would not make the roster."
Chesney will be back in a football stadium Saturday night, but he won't be playing football. He'll be giving a concert at Detroit's Ford Field. The Detroit Lions' home marks the sixth and final NFL Stadium on Chesney's tour, which also included the Boston area, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
More news for Kenny Chesney
CD reviews for Kenny Chesney
Greatest Hits Two
The Kenny Chesney hit machine continues, which explains a second volume of hits. And these really are because this is his first proper greatest hits in nine years. He's enjoyed a remarkable career with only 4 singles since 1997 not hitting the top 10 (interestingly one of them was one of his signature songs She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy.) Even the one new song here, Out Last Night, hit number one.
The songs cover both the sensitive, more introspective side of Chesney where he tends to »»» |
Lucky Old Sun
Kenny Chesney did not make a country disc here, but once you overlook that, the laid back seemingly good country superstar digs quite deep. Chesney says the 11 songs is "deeper than "Be As You Are," and he is correct. Considered the country version of Jimmy Buffett doesn't always hold water. Chesney gives the appearance of life being laid back while having some fun on a Carribean island, but such is not always the case apparently.
The vibe is acoustic-based most of the time, »»» |
Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates
The hit machine continues for superstar Kenny Chesney. Prior to its release, Chesney already enjoy a big hit with the catchy lead off "Never Wanted Nothing More."
The most interesting track is the island-flavored "Shiftwork," a duet with George Strait by Troy Jones where they sing of punching the clock at work, waiting for time off.
The closing "Demons" hews closest to country on the set produced by Buddy Cannon and Chesney. Penned by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall, »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
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