Devale Ellis: NFL to Entertainer, Reality vs Social Media & Tyler Perry as his mentor | The Pivot
390,469
Published 2024-04-23
GET MERCH HERE: www.pivotpodcast.com/
Growing up in Brooklyn in the 80s and 90s, kids did not have many role models in the media industry to admire, so sports became the main outlet and focus for Devale Ellis, who followed this path with football always being his plan B while acting and entertaining were his real dreams, Devale used the game of football to teach him about being a better man, better teammate and better person because
The football player turned actor and Internet personality, joined Ryan, Channing and Fred to share an inside look into his journey through the ups and downs, beating underdog odds and eventually landing him on the big screen while amassing a large social media fanbase. Walking on to Division I football, making the team, being undrafted and making a NFL roster are rare instances but for Devale, it's just about outworking the next person and being the 1% of the 1% which is why becoming a star actor and YouTube phenom was never out of a reach with dedication and effort.
Before making it to the NFL playing with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, Ellis was a wideout alongside Marques Colston at Hofstra University. Having played basketball most of his life, Devale relied on his athleticism to perform at the college level, but he tells the guys about how his dream for a scholarship led to him wanting real money at the professional level.
Starting his NFL career in Detroit, Devale's motivation to outwork people landed him a roster spot but as he peels back the layers of his experience, revealing his struggles mentally and emotionally, he opens up to the guys on how his addiction to painkillers began, turning to pills to try and mask his insecurities and frustrations with football. But his passion fading for the game and his Plan B quickly became his Plan A as he transitioned from the NFL to Hollywood, becoming an actor and entertainer.
Today, Devale s best known as a family man who's a star on Tyler Perry’s Sistas show amongst other projects while creating a platform with his wife Khadeen that has helped their show become a hit. His social media framework is filled with a lot of positive messages while sharing daily experiences to allow people a peek into his life and the lessons along the way. Sharing with the guys how instrumental Tyler Perry has been in his career and as a mentor in life trying to navigate each day. Perry has helped him continue to grow with opportunity and fame, but Devale explains the importance of always supporting his people while taking the characters he plays on tv to set an example that there is always hope for a different outcome.
While Devale posts lots of moments with his family online, he says the 1 min he shares out of the 1,440 minutes in a day is such a small representation of his life and who he is which is important to him to keep some aspects close to his heart. Through his hit series with his wife, he stresses the importance of open communication between him and his wife as well as with their sons, allowing them to experience life as it happens and tackle tough topics straight on whether it be racism, bullying, work ethic or debunking false perceptions of black culture, Devale prides himself in setting an example by sharing life experiences and showing the world, even people who hit obstacles have a way of achieving their dreams.
Life never works out quite as we planned or imagined, but sometimes it can work out even better and Devale has embraced the better and all the growth that has come with each success and even the failed opportunities too. As a father to young boys, Devale emphasizes how everything is centered around emotional maturity, having a strong family and the means to get by each day.
Devale is honest about the paths he's walked, mistakes he's made and how each part of his journey has shaped him into the man, husband and father he is today. For him, it's about creating an impactful legacy and giving back to his community through the culture, encouraging hope and spreading the right message.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET
FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:
INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/thepivot
TWITTER | twitter.com/thepivot
TIKTOK | tiktok.com/@thepivot
FACEBOOK | facebook.com/thepivotpodcast
SPOTIFY | open.spotify.com/show/5KtXTWiC3J5WW1CVTpYG5V
APPLE PODCASTS | podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pivot-podcast/id…
#ThePivot
#Podcast
#ChanningCrowder
#FredTaylor
#RyanClark
#NFL
All Comments (21)
-
I'm glad to see Dee get his moment. Man saved me 250k dedicated so much to my son. He charged me 15.00...not 100, but 15.00 for the cost of the gym. My son got a D1 scholarship, ran a 4.3 w/ 42inch vertical. Dee always been for the kids and community.
-
I never watched Pivot but I will never miss out on anything Devale and Khadeen do! So here I am and of course Devale does not miss!
-
Sent this to my son! 😊 Thank you all for being and showing REAL BLACK MEN AND FATHERS!
-
“Teach them the history, of this country, not just the people of this country.” Powerful!
-
Love seeing my brother tell his truth to inspire others.
-
This was my coach the very first speed camp I went to was with him and his brother and it helped me a lot on my 40 time over explosiveness and velocity. The Ellis brothers helped so many kids in NYC . I love the interview
-
“You only fail when you quit” best thing I got from this 🙏🏾
-
Never get tired of listening to this man speak ❤ much love respect to Devale and his fam 👏🏾
-
I love how he is raising his sons and letting them handle things and learning how to manage emotions.
-
Devale's on a mission. We see you. We hear you. We got your back. Keep on speaking up and speaking out. Teaching LIFE in every interview.
-
Devale is literally the best person they’ve had. I love him especially because he’s not afraid to speak and stick to his standpoint. It might hurt his career but as he said his integrity comes first! More men need to be like Devale
-
This was one of the best interviews this year. I love Devale’s level of intention, and his art of story telling on this interview. It’s impressive! I’m a fan of both The Dead Ass Podcast and
The Pivot Podcast but I feel like I still learned something new about Devale, his journey and mindset. Plus he had Channing cracking up and it’s always dope to see Black men smile! -
Devale thanks for sharing the love. The pivot never misses..
-
My boy. Thank u for setting an example for me and younger black men on how to be a better husband and father
-
Absolutely loved this interview. I've watched Devale for years. He has always kept it real. Very inspirational!
-
I remember when he and his wife first started on YouTube , their growth is dope to see
-
This is a top 10 episode of the year. The pivot is doing a great job and I’m loving every episode. Thank you guys.
-
This is why I have gravitated to this podcast. It is so refreshing to CONSISTENTLY see and hear positive messages.
Please continue to make a positive difference! -
THANK YOU for having Devale Ellis on The Pivot!!!!!! I suggested him, however, I'm sure yall had him on yall list!!!!!!! I am so happy about this interview!!!!!!!
-
Thanks for having Devale on the podcast. We love him and his family so very much and the world will benefit from him having a bigger platform.
