John David Washington is steadily rising up Hollywood’s ladder thanks to his outstanding performances. His decision to follow in the footsteps of his Oscar-winning father Denzel Washington has brought him many benefits. Washington, younger, avoided Denzel’s shadow for years by choosing sports. And now, with multiple films under his belt, the star has revealed why he hid from acting while also detailing the moment he realized he couldn’t escape his lineage.
Before appearing in films like TenetAnd Malcolm & MarieJohn David Washington “rebelled”He played football at Morehouse College to honor his father’s legacy. Washington even had the opportunity to play professionally for a few more years. Washington was open to CBS Sunday MorningAbout why he chose the sport to avoid the legacy of his father:
What motivates? [my football career]Independence, it was being able carry my own weight. Even though it was hard to see what I wanted, it gave me an identity. [I was hiding] because of who I’m related to. My mother is an extremely talented artist, and my father is one of the greatest of all time, he’s my favorite actor. It was quite intimidating. When we’re in the comforts of my own home and we’re with the family, I felt comfortable. But then, when I get to the outside world, it didn’t seem as simple to just pursue it, and I felt football would change that narrative when they saw me play ball.
Like any young person, the actor wanted an identity separate from his parents’ chosen profession. Making a name for himself in football gave him the chance to not just be Denzel Washington’s son. He still wanted to act when he was young, watching his father on television. Glory set. But he didn’t want to face those inevitable comparisons to his famous father. Funny enough, John David hid his desire to act so well that Denzel didn’t see his acting career coming.
While football was supposed to give him the break he needed, things didn’t pan out how he thought they would. John David Washington was a running back for Morehouse and quickly discovered that his pop loomed large in sports. This realization was made clear in a newspaper article:
That’s what I thought was gonna happen until I read the Atlanta Journal Constitution. I think it’s my freshman year, and I had a great game. [And the paper reads,] ‘Denzel’s son runs for as many yards and as many touchdowns.’ So I realized then that it was inescapable.
I mean, let’s be honest, Denzel Washington’s name knows no bounds, so anyone and everyone is going to point out his son on a football field. Of course, John David Washington ultimately chose to accept his father’s legacy rather than run away from it. That decision enabled him to pursue his passion for acting even after his football career was over.
At present, the younger Washington is set to make his Broadway debut in a revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. He isn’t “worried”Denzel is not a fan of Denzel’s opinions, but he is sticking to his lesson about not fearing failure on the stage. The young man is definitely putting in the work, and I’m happy that he doesn’t feel the need for hiding from his calling.
If you can’t catch John David Washington on Broadway, you can see him in the period comedy AmsterdamThe film is currently playing in theaters. He’ll also be appearing in the sci fi drama next year. True LoveGemma Chan, Allison Janney. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out what upcoming movies are still set to drop in 2022.