subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos




Published March 31, 2008 12:03 pm - Instead of hanging around and playing just to collect a nice paycheck, Carter followed his heart. He put down the helmet and picked up a microphone, which even surprised him.

Former football star follows his heart
Leads him to career in music

Michael Kinney
The Norman Transcript

NORMAN

Vince Carter made a name for himself on the gridiron. As an all-American with the University of Oklahoma, Carter was almost able to write his own ticket into professional football.

But after a couple of years of bouncing around from team to team and different leagues, Carter found that he was not doing what he wanted. Even though he was still playing football, his heart wasn't in it.

"I had the opportunity to go play Arena football," Carter said. "But my heart wasn't there anymore. I was in practice and happy to be there because I was doing what I wanted to do. Or at least what I thought I wanted to do."

So instead of hanging around and playing just to collect a nice paycheck, Carter followed his heart. He put down the helmet and picked up a microphone, which even surprised him.

"My plan was just to be playing ball and living out my NFL fantasies," Carter said. "After I gave that up last March and decided to strictly focus on my music ministry, it changed my life and perspective. I wouldn't want to be do anything else but this."

Carter now raps and sings Christian music. His new career is a far departure from his old job. When he was an offensive lineman for the Sooners, his task was to keep opponents away from his quarterback. Now as a Christian artist Carter is all about bringing people together.

Carter's first album will drop in May and is titled MAGOH (Man After God's Own Heart). It's a compilation of rap songs and urban Christian music that he wrote himself.

When Carter is not making music at his studio in Norman he is still trying to get the word out about his faith.

Friday, Carter toured schools in Lawton. He was joined by former Sooners Roy Williams and Josh Norman former Oklahoma State players Rashaun Woods and Aso Pogi.

Along with handing out autographed footballs and jerseys from the players, Williams was scheduled to speak and Carter was going to perform at Cache High that night.

"We are basically here to share the good news," Carter said. "Aso Pogi, Roy Williams, Grady Brewer, we had the opportunity to go to five or six schools, promote education and invite them to this event we are doing. Try to get them excited about being young and take the opportunity to serve Jesus."

But when the people showed up they were given some bad news. Seven of the guest athletes were unable to make it. That left just Carter and a local group called Youth in Motion to entertain the disappointed audience.

However, Carter used the situation as a challenge. He performed several songs from his upcoming album and helped turn what could have been a disaster into somewhat of a success.

"That guy represents everything I want my son to represent," Pogi said about Carter.

One of the things Carter wants to represent with his music is the new style that is hitting Christianity. He believes that in order to get the younger generation excited about being a Christian, they have to incorporate elements of the secular world.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Contemporary Services Corporation
How would you like to get paid to be at live concerts and OU Sporting Events? We specialize in Crowd Mgmt, Guest Service...>MORE

MAKE-READY/GROUNDS
Full-time Temporary Work
Pay based on Exp / Must have valid D.L. • Apply in person at
2900 Chautauqua
or
...>MORE

Full-time Position in...
non traditional Mental Health Program.
Energy, flexibility, professionalism & experience required. No Phone Inqui
...>MORE

Noble Healthcare Center
LPNs
Now Hiring LPNs
3p - 11p • 11p - 7a
Excellent Starting Pay
$500 Sign On BONUS after 6 Mos
...>MORE

Warehouse Position
with Computerized Accounting Exp
Apply at Liquecolor
2108 Research Park Blvd
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Has Full Time &
Part Time
Positions Available For
CMA's • CNA
To Join a Great Team
Offering Com
...>MORE

CPA FIRM IN NORMAN
Smoke free office seeks individual for full time clerical duties including document scanning, posting checks and deposit...>MORE

NOW Hiring
Copelin’s Office Center
Sales Associate
Full Time
Saturdays Included
Must have current
OK Dri
...>MORE

GET A REAL JOB!
TCIM Services has incredible
opportunities contacting individual and business customers. No cold calls. If you have
...>MORE

Wanted 10 People Who Need to Work.
Good Attitude, Dependable &
Love to Clean • 405-447-4964
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes


near Lake TBird on 10.5 fncd Ac ’s. 2100sq’ • 1100sq’ Wrap Around Porch & Patio. 3 or 4Bd/2Bth • 2/Liv Rms. Master BR 16...>MORE

Backs up to Trails Golf Course
Spectacular View, 3Bd/2.5Bth, Many Updates, Storm Shelter,
$189,000 Preferred Realty
Exclusive Listing
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Enchantment
Enchantment
25 Yrs Exp • Lawncare
Mowing, Edging,
Weeding • Tree Service
Topping, Pruning, Removal
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index