Jake Paul’s Ambitious Plans for Life After Boxing
Jake Paul seems to have a knack for setting bold goals. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is already sketching out a future beyond boxing, and it sounds like something from a movie script. He envisions attending Stanford University, playing college football, and then making a leap to the NFL.
And yes, he insists he’s serious about it.
During a conversation on the a16z podcast, Paul shared that once he’s finished with boxing, his aim is to take on the role of a slot receiver in professional football.
“I genuinely want to play for Stanford’s football team. I’m dead serious about this,” Paul declared.
The 29-year-old reflected on his earlier belief that he could bypass college entirely and head straight to the NFL.
“At first, I was thinking I could just go directly to the Cleveland Browns or Dallas Cowboys,” he stated. “But I guess they’d want to see me actually play first.”
The internet reaction was entirely predictable.
Former NFL star Antonio Brown also weighed in on Paul’s remarks.
Once Paul’s statements began making the rounds online, Brown posted a message that read: “5 word reality check.”
His comment? “Dude will get [expletive].”
Harsh? Probably. Yet Brown’s point isn’t entirely unfounded.
Paul has certainly crafted a notable career, transitioning from social media influencer to a significant figure in the combat sports realm. He’s had his share of challenges, including a broken jaw in a recent six-round fight against Anthony Joshua.
Still, there’s a considerable difference between taking punches from seasoned boxers and facing an NFL linebacker. Slot receivers in the league often endure brutal hits from athletes who have been dedicated to their craft for years. While Paul has showed he can step into the ring with top-tier opponents, adapting to the rigors of professional football would be another story altogether.
And let’s face it, there will be defenders who will be all too eager to make an example out of someone as controversial as Paul.
Even though he has been playing football since childhood, the thought of him joining Stanford’s squad near the age of 30 and then pushing into the NFL definitely drew more doubt than encouragement.
This skepticism isn’t new for Paul, though. Throughout his career, whether with Vine, Disney, or boxing, he has frequently faced criticism but has managed to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Whether football becomes his next venture or simply another headline remains to be seen.
