“Who’s Dat Dude?”

Former NFL Player Marcellus Wiley Discusses Why He’s “Dat Dude”.

Marcellus Wiley

 Yesterday, I had the opportunity to interview Marcellus Wiley and the first question I asked him was: Who is Dat Dude?

“My teammates named me that because I was everywhere; I was connected and always networking,” explains Wiley. The catchy phrase has definitely stuck with Wiley over the years on and off the field. Wiley, who played 10 years in the NFL with 4 different teams, ended his professional football career last year. But, retirement from the NFL has not slowed Marcellus Wiley aka “Dat Dude” down at all.

In fact, Wiley has found his second calling as an NFL analyst on ESPN. Life after football has been good thus far for this multitalented personality. I asked Wiley if he was going to pull a Brett Farve and come out of retirement and his response was, “Never”. “When it’s time to move on, it’s just time to move on,” he added. When asked about his thoughts regarding The Brett Farve saga, Wiley said, “I’m just glad my man gets to play” We both agreed the Packers could have handle things a little better especially with a legend like Farve. “But at the end of the day, Green Bay had to do what’s best for the future of the team”, Wiley replies.

Marcellus Wiley is undoubtedly becoming one of the most outspoken analysts on ESPN. He’s definitely not afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind. “I was a player, so I know what I’m talking about because I lived it”, states a confident Wiley. He’s becoming known for making eye-opening comments especially against his former peers.  A few weeks ago Wiley was very vocal in response to comments Wes Walker made about his former teammate Asante Samuel. “I thought Wes was wrong for calling out Asante. Wes broke the rules; you don’t hate on another player saying this guy is chasing money and not a championship, when you (Wes) just signed a 5 year $18 million dollar contract yourself. I mean to say he’s chasing paper, and not a championship? Asante has two championship rings already? Wes is the one with no championship ring”, states Wiley. “Dat Dude” also made his opinion known when he spoke out against a controversial article renowned columnist Jason Whitlock wrote titled the “Black KKK” about the senseless murder of the Washington Redskin’s Sean Taylor. “I made my comments because I felt the point he was trying to make about the black athlete was totally false and the timing for such an article was inappropriate,” Wiley responds.

Wiley represents his fellow athletes well by leading by example and proves there is life after football. Smartly, he made a lot of good investments during his career and keeps busy with new and existing endeavors like Prolebrity. Prolebrity is a website for professional athletes to network, advertise their businesses, charities, and set up their own personal page. It’s the only one of its kind and is a huge success for Wiley.

Another business Wiley is extremely passionate about is La Tik’ Boutique. La Tik’ is a female clothing boutique he opened with his sister a few years ago. “My sister has always been there for me. She’s done so much for me during my football career by making sure my finances and home were in order, so investing in her vision is the least I could do as a thank to her for having my back”.

Mr. Wiley is no where near slowing down. When asked where he sees himself in the next 5 years, Wiley says “I hope to expand my businesses, to DJ here and there (Marcellus loves music and has hosted a few parties as a celebrity DJ for “Dat Dude Entertainment), and continue to be a role model for my daughter. I just want to continue to get better within my own skin and continue to win. I just want to come out on top of my own inner battles and become a better person from it”.

- For more information on Marcellus Willey, log onto www.wileyent.com or www.prolebrity.com.