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What if your favorite NFL players were legendary music artists instead?

The line between athletes and musicians has always been a thin one.

From the days of Kobe and Shaq dropping actual hip-hop tracks, athletes continue to be intertwined within the same space of fame that many musicians occupy.

We have stars like Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert appearing in the great ass (pun obviously intended) video to Kanye’s “Fade” and Steelers tailback Le’Veon Bell dropping whole (pretty fire) mixtapes on Soundcloud.

To actually see how easy the bridge is to gap you can look straight to Dave East who was a Division I ball player playing with the likes of Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley before flying out to OKC to work on music in KD’s home studio.

Over at The Checkdown on NFL.com they’ve put together a series of famous album covers replaced by NFL stars further thinning the line between sports and music fame.

Check out the dope album covers like Michael Jackson’s Thriller accurately being replaced with Odell Beckham Jr. and Atlanta Hawks coach Dan Quinn being put on Kendrick’s DAMN. cover.

Odell Beckham Jr. as Michael Jackson’s Thriller

This is a pretty accurate comparison if you consider just how outgoing OBJ actually is. His hair, dance moves, and eccentric personality make him just about the best athlete to compare to the King of Pop. Beckham also immortalized the late Jackson by tattooing the singer on his body a few months ago.


Dan Quinn as Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN.

DAN. Original Album: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar Release Date: 4/14/2017 Coach Featured: Dan Quinn

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The parallel to the mood Kendrick emits on DAMN. and Dan Quinn’s salty stare as his team became the victim of Tom Brady’s record-breaking comeback is amazing.

After the Super Bowl, many Falcon fans could only say “Damn” after everything was over. I’m sure head coach Dan Quinn wishes he could hit the rewind button like Kendrick did at the end of his album.

Peep the rest of the hilarious album cover conversions and try to make your own connections between the artist and athlete.


Peyton Manning as Kanye’s The Life of Pablo


Rob Gronkowski as The Clash’s London Calling 


Devonta Freeman as Devo’s Freedom of Choice 

Freeman, DEVOnta Original Album: Freedom of Choice by Devo Release Date: 5/16/1980 Player Featured: Devonta Freeman

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Dak Prescott as J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only 

4 My Receivers Only Original Album: 4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole Release Date: 12/9/2016 Player Featured: Dak Prescott

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(I feel like this should’ve been reserved for Colin Kaepernick but whatever).


DeAndre Hopkins as Dr. Dre’s The Chronic 

The Nuk, DEANDRE Original Album: The Chronic by Dr. Dre Release Date: 12/15/1992 Player Featured: DeAndre Hopkins

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Cam Newton as Chance’s Coloring Book

Coloring Book Original Album: Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper Release Date: 5/13/2016 Player Featured: Cam Newton

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Marshawn Lynch as Bob Marley’s Legend, The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers