Tennessee Titans

Eddie George relishing run on Broadway

Published Jan. 22, 2016 2:25 p.m. ET

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During his nine-year NFL career, former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George had plenty of high-pressure moments. But even with that experience George said making his Broadway debut earlier this month was a whole different feeling.

The four-time Pro Bowler is currently appearing in the musical "Chicago," playing the role of Billy Flynn. George said his first performance was nerve-wracking.

Via Tennessee's official website:

“It felt like my legs were going to collapse,’’ George said. “You have that moment of, 'What the hell am I doing here?' I have done stage work before, but to get out there and sing? You wonder how people are going to accept you.

“It is similar (to football) in that after that first hit, you are usually OK. After you are on stage, after you sing those first lines and you start captivating and start telling the story, you start relaxing a little more. It is similar, but in football, you can lose your life, you can lose your career that day. My thing here is just going out and having fun, living in the character. If I crack a note, skip a line … you keep going and keep attacking it.”

George likened the workload associated with appearing in a Broadway show with multiple performances each week to the first first week of padded practice in training camp.

The former Heisman Trophy winner, who ran for over 10,000 yards during his time with the Titans, said his foray into acting is all part of his diverse post-football plan.

“I am enjoying this entire experience. It is not every day you get a chance to play on Broadway, and that goes for people who have been acting for years,’’ George said. “I am blessed to be in this situation, and it is such a thrill every time I have an opportunity to go on the stage and do this. It’s been awesome.

“But there’s a lot of work that goes into it. Everyone associated with Chicago has been so supportive, and so helpful to me. These are professionals, it is like jumping on a train moving 180 miles per hour. … I am so concentrated in what I have to do from one scene to the next to try and fit in.”

George's six-week run in the show concludes in February.

“(After football) it was my goal to try and build a career out of this, along with other businesses," George said. "And this is a door that opened up. I am just trying to enjoy the moment. It’s been quite a ride.”