Keyshawn Johnson gets interior design show

This is one of those Hollywood things you can't make up.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson has been announced as the star of a new unscripted series in which he will attempt to become, of all things, an interior designer.

Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design is slated to premiere next year on the A&E cable channel. Given the momentous events of yesterday, I wonder if A&E didn't sneak this release out to avoid attention, but Johnson was such a controversial figure here in Tampa Bay, I figured some fans would be interested.

Here's the press release: 

NEW YORK –  November 5, 2008 – A&E Network today announced a new original series “Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design” and the seventh season of veteran original “Sell This House,” both Real-Life series are currently in production and slated for premiere in 2009 as part of the Saturday lineup, The Big Fix.  “Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design” will follow the day-to-day drama facing former NFL pro and current ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson as he embarks on a very different career path: interior designer. 

“Sports fans are aware of Keyshawn's formidable skills on the field, but will be completely surprised by his talent as a designer. The fact that he is really trying to get his interior design business off the ground perfectly fits with our real life brand where we capture the real lives of extraordinary people," said Robert Sharenow, Senior Vice President, Nonfiction and Alternative Programming, A&E. 

Outspoken NFL veteran wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson may be known best for his play on the field, but now he’s putting a completely different set of skills to the test in “Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design.” Furniture, fabric and finishings used to be just a hobby, but with his football days behind him, Johnson’s wide-receiving now has more to do with fitting furniture through the front door of a house. Will clients take this former pro athlete seriously as an interior designer? The 10-episode half-hour series follows Johnson as he tries to make a name in the world of interior design.  And given the pressures and personalities, Johnson’s famous temper is sure to be put to the test.

During his 11-year career as an NFL wide receiver, Johnson played for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won a Super Bowl Championship during the 2002-2003 season.  He retired  in 2007 with 814 receptions, 64 touchdowns and 10,571 yards recorded during his career. Away from the gridiron, Johnson heads up numerous business ventures and charitable endeavors including The Keyshawn Johnson Education Foundation, which is dedicated to the health and well being of children.

*

Comments

[L SMITH]

KEYSHAWN WILL BE A FUTURE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE.

[Jokerboi99]

OH COME ON HE WAS A FOOTBALL PLAYER NOT MARTHA STEWART WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nate]

If Keyshawn wants to be an interior designer, let him do what other people do who wish to be taken seriously as a professional designer. Let him go to a CIDA-accredited university and earn a degree. Watching a little HGTV does NOT a designer make. And it certainly doesn't prepare one for all the situations one encounters on a job.

[Ruth Springfield]

I adored watching Keyshawn play on the Bucs and Cowboys and will be looking forward to his design adventures. God bless him in this endeavor.

Key was tough and played hard EVERY play..that's all I can ask as a fan

[Key]

Just Give Me The Damn Drapes!

[Tonka61]

No Sonny...I beg to differ. With all things considered, including the team surrounding him, I'd go with Mark Carrier.

Let's say he's the best "possession receiver" in team history. I'll give you that.

[Sonny]

best receiver we've ever had in Tampa.

[Steven Tamayo]

keyshawn is such a wannabe ... yes he got the superbowl ring, but he just is not the legend that he thinks he is

and everyone around him knows it

[Vince]

They should have called the show "Just Give Me The Damn Sofa."