Rather, it’s an unusual sight to see someone walk away from their sport and actually launch a full blown musical career.

Enter former Minnesota Vikings defensive back Antone Exum.

Drafted in 2014 by the Minnesota Vikings, Exum enjoyed a cup of coffee with the purple during his acclimation into the while, “Exum” his musical alias, was ingesting music and exploring a passion for something off the field. That led him to freestyle rap battles in the meeting rooms first with the Minnesota Vikings then more regularly with the 49ers organization. After being waived by San Francisco in early 2020, Exum saw the writing on the wall and moved his attention to what could only be called a fledgling hobby at the time in the music game.

But it’s what happened next that really tipped the scale to launch his post football career in music.

On July 10th, 2020, Exum laid down on the operating table to undergo surgery for a routine heart procedure. That sounds a bit funny, but as far as heart procedures can go he says that this one left him with little worry heading in. Part way through the procedure, Antone flat-lined...his heart stopped...effectively, he died on the operating table. The complications that led to the heart failure are not public, but the doctors were able to revive Exum and get his heart back in rhythm.

“When I woke up,” Exum told Dazed Digital, “I knew I was doing the right thing. I knew we were making good music...I wanted to immerse myself in the things I loved.” the NFL. He appeared in 26 games over two seasons, mostly with special teams but did start 2 games his sophomore season before signing a trio of one year deals with the San Francisco 49ers carrying him through the 2019 season.

All the while, “Exum” his musical alias, was ingesting music and exploring a passion for something off the field. That led him to freestyle rap battles in the meeting rooms first with the Minnesota Vikings then more regularly with the 49ers organization. After being waived by San Francisco in early 2020, Exum saw the writing on the wall and moved his attention to what could only be called a fledgling hobby at the time in the music game.

But it’s what happened next that really tipped the scale to launch his post football career in music.

On July 10th, 2020, Exum laid down on the operating table to undergo surgery for a routine heart procedure. That sounds a bit funny, but as far as heart procedures can go he says that this one left him with little worry heading in. Part way through the procedure, Antone flat-lined...his heart stopped...effectively, he died on the operating table. The complications that led to the heart failure are not public, but the doctors were able to revive Exum and get his heart back in rhythm.

“When I woke up,” Exum told Dazed Digital, “I knew I was doing the right thing. I knew we were making good music...I wanted to immerse myself in the things I loved.”