PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FOUNDATION PRESENTS
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
NFLPA Player Artists
Marcus Brown
Marcus Brown, a former NFL player who played for the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and St. Louis Rams, now serves as the principal of Independence Leadership Academy in Independence, Louisiana. In addition to his passion for education, he is also a collegiate women’s basketball and high school basketball referee.
Marcus is deeply committed to fostering a positive and thriving community, inspiring others to succeed, and helping individuals achieve their full potential. His leadership is driven by a dedication to empowering underserved children and staff, creating opportunities for growth, and building a culture of excellence and equity.
Marcus is happily married to his wife, Santana Brown, and is the proud father of two sons, aged 18 and 15, who are actively involved in sports at Ponchatoula High School. His mission is to leave a lasting impact on those around him by promoting success, positivity, and a shared vision for the future.
Andrew Bower
Andrew Bowers played for the Arizona Cardinals in the early 2000’s.
He now works as a Firefighter Captain Paramedic and SWAT medic in Gilbert Arizona. Andrew is married 23 years to his life’s love with seven children.
Andrew enjoys drawing, painting, photography and graphic design since his youth.
Sunrise Epilogue was inspired by a string of events he encountered responding to emergencies followed by the unexpected passing of one of his friends and fellow firefighters. It is a rendition depicting a gulfside Florida sunrise near his wife’s hometown.
A sunrise always holds hope in its warming colors in its ascent. Even though we all share losses, we can also share in hope and the promise of change and new beginnings.
Robert McClain III
My name is Robert McClain III, Born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. I began drawing in fourth grade as a hobby. I have had a natural gift at seeing lines, shapes, to be able to draw what I see in front of me. I’ve thought in creative ways much as a child which kept me guided towards art! Through many years and courses growing up I have developed my art into ways I can truly express my feelings, views, And passion with you all. I hope you can enjoy my artwork, and it can fill any voids in which you desire from my art. Thank you for your support. Instagram; @mcclainsart.
Chris Colquitt
Craig Colquitt spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1978 to 1983. He was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 1978 NFL draft out of the University of Tennessee. He was a member of the two Super Bowl championship teams with the Steelers in 1978 and 1979. His sons Dustin (17 seasons) and Britton (11 seasons) played in the NFL also winning Super Bowls (Britton 50) and (Dustin 54). He has 9 grandchildren. He is Jojo (grandfather name) and author of a children’s book called “Jojo! What happened to hair?”
Edward Whealon
Edward Whealon is a photographer based in St. Louis, MO. His main focus is on portrait photography. When he is not taking pictures, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Brad Edelman
Brad Edelman, a St. Louis native, excelled as a football player at Parkway North High School and the University of Missouri, earning All-American honors and leading the Tigers as co-captain. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1982, he became the first offensive lineman in team history to make the Pro Bowl and contributed to their first playoff appearance.
Queen Hope Parker
Queen Hope Parker was born and raised in downtown New Orleans into a culture of cooking, music, dance, art, and crafts. Her grandfather’s hobby was visual art, her dad is a chef, and her grandmother sewed clothing; she freelanced all these talents. As a child, her father registered her and her siblings and in dance and music classes. Queen attended Dillard University School of Nursing and graduated in May of 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is currently a Registered Nurse aspiring to become a Nurse Midwife. She also completed Doula training with Sista Midwife Productions in November 2014 and became a part of Birthmark Doula Collective shortly after.
Kent Graham
Kent Graham spent 11 years as a Quarterback in the NFL. These years were a cornerstone in his life as he was challenged with high levels of pressure. He found life in Jesus Christ to be the ultimate sustainer. When he had the chance to meet people of great worldly renown, he was struck with just how empty it all was without hope in Christ. New life rooted in the gospel outweighed any and every experience the world offered. Kent came away from his time in the NFL knowing deeply that being a vessel for the glory of the Lord in whatever you do is the most fulfilling and worthwhile thing we can do in this life. He is now in his “second half.” Kent found himself forced into retirement sooner than planned due to the physical consequences of playing the game.
B Mike
Brandan “BMike” Odums is a New Orleans-based visual artist whose work explores the intersection of art and resistance through vibrant murals, public art, and exhibitions. His large-scale spray-painted works, often depicting historical figures and contemporary creatives, have sparked dialogue across the globe, from New Orleans to Palestine to Times Square. Odums’ journey began at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), where he studied visual art, and continued with a career in filmmaking, founding 2-Cent Entertainment LLC, a collective that earned national acclaim for documenting postKatrina New Orleans. Odums is the creative force behind #ProjectBe, Exhibit Be, and Studio Be, a 36,000-square-foot gallery named one of the “50 Best Things to Do in the World” by TimeOut. His collaborations span globally recognized brands like Nike, Spotify, and Amnesty International, as well as advocacy organizations such as Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp. In 2020, he founded Eternal Seeds, a nonprofit nurturing emerging artists in New Orleans, cementing his role as both an artistic innovative and community leader.
Veronica Jenkins
Veronica Jenkins is a storyteller at heart—whether through the digital realm or the stroke of a brush. As the Director of Creative & Interactive Content at the NFL Players Association, she uses media to engage and inspire. Beyond the screen, her passion for mixed media painting allows her to explore texture, color, and composition in a hands-on way. Her piece, A Meditation in Gold, reflects her personal journey into mindfulness, using gold tones to symbolize clarity, focus, and the practice of being present in the moment.
Asher Allen
Asher Allen is a passionate artist and former professional athlete dedicated to exploring the intersection of creativity and resilience. When not in the studio, Asher actively supports community initiatives that encourage creativity and well-being. This is Asher’s second time participating in the Smocks & Jocks Art Auction, and he is honored to be part of such a meaningful event.
Darnell Alford
Darnell Alford is a native of Newark, New Jersey, and has been a graffiti writer since his childhood. He attended and played football at Boston College. Darnell was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000. During his 7 years in the NFL, his primary art medium was colored pencil. His work represents sensuality, body positivity, inclusion, and Hip-Hop.
15410 East 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64136
Dasman McCullum
Dasman McCullum was a free agent OLB/DE for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Although he was not in the league for long, he got the opportunity to play football in Brazil and managed to go back to school and obtain two master’s degrees. He has experienced some downs, but God has blessed him with a lot of ups and is still doing so until this day.
Nicole Bent Jones
Dr. Nicole Bent Jones is a multifaceted artist and director in higher education bridging the gap between art, design, and business. Her journey has included earning a Doctor of Business Administration in Financial Management and a MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design, while also honing her painting skills under Bulgarian artist Dimitar Yukanov in Paris and working as a multimedia artist with esteemed institutions in Texas. Nicole’s artistry has graced national and international platforms, across the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Her current artistic endeavors continue to evolve, blending expressive forms of abstract, figurative, and sports-themed works. Inspired by her husband Bill Jones Jr., a former NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs, her sportsthemed paintings embody a vibrant fusion of athleticism and untamed passion.
David Mack
David F. Mack is a father, husband, author, retired Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Army), educator, and clay activist artist. David earned a BS from Morgan State University, MFA from The MD Institute College of Art, and Advance Military Diploma, US Army Command and General Staff College. At Morgan, David was a member of the undefeated football team that defeated FAMU at the 1965 Orange Blossom Classic. In 1971, David was among 9 out of 300 undrafted walk-ons to sign with The Washington Redskins. In 2022, David was commissioned by The Metropolitan Museum of Art to produce an audio commentary for the national exhibition: “Hear Me Now, The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, SC”. David recently had six ceramic face vessels accepted for the 2024 Skyway Collaboration Exhibition, Tampa Museum of Art.
Marcus Harris
Marcus Harris, from St. Louis, Missouri, has always had a creative mind. He was inspired to create history with his City of Golden Pyramids with its originality and uniqueness. He had a vision to create one of the most unique art pieces the world has seen, that’s what led him to create The City of Nebu (The City of Golden Pyramids). From making the blocks to laying them, it has grown to be a very precise artistic process. It is more than just building Pyramids for him. It is him evolving into the best version of himself which reflects in the preciseness of each build.
Melvin Junius Gray
Melvin Junius Gray, born March of1961, is a former NFL wide receiver and kick returner renowned for his speed and agility. A standout at Purdue University, Gray entered the NFL in 1986, playing for teams such as the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. Over his decade-long career, he became one of the league’s most electrifying return specialists, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. Gray’s exceptional performance as a returner helped redefine special teams’ play, leaving a lasting legacy in the NFL. Today, he remains celebrated for his contributions to the game and his remarkable athleticism.
Darrick Brown
Darrick Brown was born and raised in Louisiana. Returning to his home state of Louisiana for Smocks & Jocks this year is special for him, as he also spent some time playing for the Saints. He has always had a passion for art and has now been able to tour with well-known artists around the country. He sees art as an outlet to give back to the community and inspire others.
Chris Mohr
Chris Mohr grew up in Thomson, Georgia where he played many sports, including football. He played QB, DB, and punted for the Briarwood Academy football team. In 1983, he earned All-State honors as QB and Punter. He then went on to play with full scholarship at the University of Alabama, where he was the punter. Chris set many records, which led to him being drafted in the 6th round in the 1989 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. There he was elected to the All-Rookie Team. He briefly went to play for the Montreal Machine, then was signed by the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the next 10 years. He set many punting records and appeared in three Super Bowls. He was awarded the “Ralph Wilson Distinguished Service Award”. He then went to play for his home state team, the Atlanta Falcons, for four years. He was named the Special Teams Player of the Year by his teammates in 2003. Chris still holds the record at Alabama as the player that has played in the most games (258) in the NFL. Chris, who has four boys (Garrett, Harrison, Quinn and Chapman), two granddaughters (Millie and Blaze), stepdaughter (Avery), and son (William) and currently lives with his wife, Cindi, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Kareem Martin
Kareem Martin is a photographer from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. He was a third-round draft pick and played seven seasons (‘14 - ‘21) with the Cardinals, Giants, and Lions. His work has been shown at Art Basel Miami, Smocks and Jocks, the Lincoln Center in New York, as well as local galleries around the country. The artist’s portfolio can be found at visionreem.com.
Cory Schlesinger
Cory Schlesinger was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 1995 Draft. He was a twotime All-State linebacker at Columbus High School in Columbus, Nebraska. He drove in demolition derbies for three years during high school. He is still considered one of the best pure fullbacks in the NFL and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He was selected by his teammates as a recipient of the Bobby Layne Offensive MVP Award in 2003, the Mike Utley Spirit Award in 2002 and 2003, and the Yale Lary Special Teams VP in 1997. Cory is currently teaching and is the head strength coach at Allen Park High School in Michigan.
Malcolm Blacken
Malcolm Blacken spent 27 years in the NFL. He was a Strength & Conditioning Coach and a Senior Director of Player Engagement for the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, respectively.
Art has always been an outlet for me. I find it therapeutic to create something from nothing with my hands and thoughts. Art will always be a part of me as it is a form of relaxation and another vehicle to communicate with others.
Marcus Cannon
Marcus Cannon is a former NFL offensive tackle and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. His journey to the league wasn’t easy—he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma during the 2011 NFL Draft process, but with faith and determination, he beat it and went on to have a successful career. Football taught him the value of hard work, teamwork, and resilience. He is passionate about sharing the lessons he learned with the next generation. He takes pride in giving back through youth camps and community initiatives, and helping others chase their dreams just like he did. Growing up in Texas, he never imagined how far football would take him, but he is grateful for every moment and the opportunities to make a difference.
Brandon “SOUL COLE” Coleman”
A Former NFL player whose career with the New Orleans Saints came to an unexpected end due to a career-altering injury. This pivotal moment sparked a profound transformation, guiding him from professional athlete to wellness enthusiast and advocate. Today, SOUL COLE serves as a Flow Facilitator, Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Mental Performance Coach, Certified Breath Coach, Author, Artist and Philanthropist. Through his own journey of recovery from injury, depression, and anxiety—embracing therapy, meditation, yoga, and sound healing—Brandon Coleman became SOUL COLE. He has dedicated his life to helping others remember the rhythm that unites mind, body, and spirit, aligning them with the divine oneness of the Most High God.
Aon exists to shape decisions for the better–to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.
Aon is in the business of better decisions.
Aon is in the business of better decisions. Aon exists to shape decisions for the better–to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.