Maryland football legend Vernon Davis has a new career path: acting. The former tight end is in the upcoming film “The Ritual Killer,” in theaters and on demand March 10.
Davis, 39, played for the Terrapins from 2003-2005, then in the NFL from 2006-2019 for San Francisco, Denver and Washington. He majored in studio art at Maryland and took acting classes at the Shelton Theater of the Arts in San Francisco.
“The Ritual Killer” stars Cole Hauser from the popular Paramount series “Yellowstone” and Morgan Freeman, whose voice needs no introduction. Davis had a great football career and has crossed paths with some very famous people during his time, but even he was starstruck when being on set with the Academy Award-winning Freeman.
“I walk in, and my legs start shaking and I start sweating,” Davis said on Glenn Clark Radio March 7. “It is a little intimidating. This is Morgan Freeman. This guy’s done so many things in his career, and he’s a legend. He’s an icon. But it was a great opportunity to learn from him, to work with him. And to be able to say that we have a film together, it’s pretty spectacular.”
Davis said that he never planned to be an actor despite having an affinity for other forms of art like music and painting. Football was the route he chose. That professional football career resulted in 583 receptions, 7,562 receiving yards and 63 touchdown catches.
Davis also won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015.
“If you told me like 20 years ago that I would be an actor I would’ve probably told you [that] you were lying,” Davis said. “It was just never part of my plan. … It just kind of happened. And that’s what life is about. It’s all about being unexpected. So, I’m very grateful for the opportunities and experiences that I’ve had throughout the years.”
“The Ritual Killer” is based on the true story of a man who used ancient rituals and black magic to gain power by sacrificing his victims. Davis plays the role of South African serial killer Randoku.
Davis said that he was not aware of this story prior to working on this film, and he gained a lot of knowledge from playing his role.
“It gives us perspective,” Davis said. “… I think it’s good for people to know that this is something that actually all happened.”
Davis does have his own production companies, Reel 85 and Between the Lines Productions, as he looks to expand his Hollywood portfolio. He also shared what role he would eventually love to play.
“Yeah, I’ve [wanted] to play a certain character,” Davis said. “For me, that’s always been a big superhero. I’ve always wanted to. I think there would be something really phenomenal.”
Davis provided a hilarious response when asked if he’d be willing to fill the void in Marvel’s “Black Panther” films.
“I don’t know about the Black Panther. Maybe I’ll be the Black Lizard or something,” Davis joked.
For more from Davis, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics