The NFLPA held it’s 9th annual Smocks & Jocks event Saturday at the Vermilion Restaurant in New York City. The Smocks & Jocks event features fine art created by former NFL players which are placed on sale through the event’s auction
Some of the contributing artists at the 2014 event include Chris Cooley, Andre Collins, Malcolm Blacken and Steve Christie, as well as others.
Andre Collins was the man who first came up with the idea of Smocks & Jocks back in 2005. “The original thought was to create an opportunity for former players to come to the Super Bowl in a more relaxed atmosphere and to show a different side of the professional athlete by them being able to display their art.”
Photo by Eric Bass
Collins is a former linebacker for the Washington Redskins and currently is the director of NFLPA Former Players Services. “However, it has evolved over time…where we have partnered with various foundations to give us more of a community message,” Collins said.
Another former player that was in attendance at Saturday’s Smocks & Jocks event was Chris Cooley. Cooley is also a former member of the Redskins where he played tight end for seven seasons until retiring in 2010. “I make functional pottery, and I don’t think there is a real awareness for what that actually is.” Cooley tweeted a picture of his pottery pieces from the event:
@NFLPA art show “smocks and jocks” art show today in new york at 480 lexington 46th. Brought up a bunch of my stuff. pic.twitter.com/sA4NLCoA9p
— Chris Cooley (@thecooleyzone) February 1, 2014
“Art is what I love to do,” Cooley said. “It’s what excites me. Football has been fantastic…but this is something I absolutely adore. My whole basement is a studio where I make stuff every day,” Cooley added. Cooley is a fan of glaze experimentation, in which he can incorporate multi layers of glaze into his pottery.
All proceeds from the 2014 Smocks & Jocks event will benefit the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund as well as the Harlem School of the Arts.
