Actor Anthony Mackey claims that success is “given” rather than “earning”, relies on the choice process and the gift of opportunity.
Mackey's apparently backward comment was streamed on the Pivot Podcast, hosting former NFL players as well as Ryan Clark, Channing Clauder and Fred Taylor.
The “Captain America” and “Twist Metal” stars said it was wrong to say that it was a lie to do the right thing to children, perform well to succeed, and that “hard work will be rewarded.”
“That's not true. You're not given success, you're not earned because you can become the most amazing mother.
The camera was then cut to match the reaction from Crowder and Clark. I was shocked.
Mackie's advice appears to fly in the face of both players' careers as it was a highly promoted first-round pick where Taylor enjoyed a praised NFL career, but the path to success was far more demanding for his co-host.
Clark was signed by the New York Giants in 2002 and was not drafted until he got the opportunity to play for a special team. He was eventually named to the Pro Bowl in 2011 before winning the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Super Bowl.
Crowder was his third draft pick to play for the Miami Dolphins for five years.
In response, Crowder asked the actor how he was from an inexperienced performer (who said he didn't portray rapper Tupac Shakur very well in the film) to becoming Marvel's biggest franchise lead as Captain America.
Interestingly, Mackey didn't think he had chosen his own success or had it given him. Rather, he said his success was due to “hard work.”
The actor then became a lengthy story about his extreme level of preparation for theatre audition and how he seized opportunities in the casting phase throughout his career.
“Every audition I did, I audition. Mackie explains how he captivated the casting director and producers and knows you're interested.”
The actor ignored the idea that he had been successful and instead lamented that he was a master of his craft.
Anthony Mackey is attending the screening of Captain America: Brave New World in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
“We have lived through the death of American men.”
Later on the podcast, Mackie talked about masculinity and how to raise his sons in the face of weakening testosterone levels around the world. The 46-year-old said he has always told his eldest son that he is a man of the house when he is away and that he will ensure that the house is secured when he falls asleep.
“For the past 20 years, we have lived through the deaths of American men,” he argued. “They literally killed masculinity in our homes and in our communities for some reason, but I'm raising boys to young men.”
Mackie argued that “American masculinity” is very different from other countries, particularly pointing out how weak Europeans are.
“When you go to Europe, you feel that,” he said.
“That's it. I think the masculinity of American men is something I think is very important to boys,” Mackie said.
In favor of traditional gender roles, Mackie reinforced his views by saying that European men often baffle him with “tight pants.”
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