Dwayne Bowe: Former Chiefs WR goes from football to rap artist
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BVM) – Dwayne Bowe didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. However, he quickly became a record-setting receiver at LSU and a first-round NFL draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.
After a strong NFL career in which Bowe became a Pro Bowl receiver, the now 38-year-old has continued to remain in the spotlight during retirement, primarily through his passion as a rap artist.
Dwayne Bowe’s early life, college career
Born and raised in Miami, Bowe grew up in rough conditions as a kid, and was eventually taken in by his grandparents as he helped raise his five siblings. Bowe was a late bloomer to the sport of football, and didn’t begin playing until his junior year at Miami Norland High School. However, he proved his talent right away, making 32 catches for 624 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.
In his senior season, Bowe improved further, catching 40 passes for 822 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a first-team all-state player, the senior receiver helped lead Miami Norland to a state championship.
Quickly emerging as one of the nation’s top receiving prospects, Bowe earned an opportunity to play for Nick Saban and the LSU Tigers in the mid 2000s. Despite making minor contributions as a freshman, the Miami native became part of the Tigers’ national championship team in 2003.
However, as he moved into a starting role as a sophomore in 2004, Bowe’s LSU career took off. That season, he reeled in 39 catches for 597 yards and five touchdowns. He would follow that up with 41 catches, 710 yards and nine touchdowns during his junior campaign.
Forming an elite receiving group alongside Craig Davis and Early Doucet while catching balls from future No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, Bowe had his best season yet as a senior in 2006 with 65 receptions and 990 yards. His 12 touchdown catches that season set a then-program record which has since been broken by current NFL receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall Jr. Still, Bowe concluded an impressive college career with 154 receptions, 2,403 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Dwayne Bowe’s NFL career
Bowe’s success at LSU led him to become a first-round NFL draft pick, as he was selected No. 23 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007. Immediately, he proved the skill he displayed in Baton Rouge would translate to the NFL. As a rookie, Bowe caught 70 passes for 995 yards and five touchdowns. The reception and yardage totals were both Chiefs franchise records among rookies, while each of his reception, yardage and touchdown marks led all first-year receivers in the NFL.
In his second NFL season, Bowe impressed further with 86 receptions, 1,022 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wide receiver suffered a down year in 2009 as he played in just 11 games, also being suspended for four contests after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Yet, Bowe responded to the adversity with the best season of his career in 2010. Earning his first and only Pro Bowl honor, Bowe caught a league-high 15 touchdowns, making 72 receptions for a career-best 1,162 yards. The wide receiver was also named a second-team All-Pro that season.
Following another strong campaign in 2011 in which Bowe put up 81 receptions, 1,159 yards and five scores, his numbers began declining, yet he remained a solid contributor for the Chiefs. Between 2012 and 2013, Bowe still caught 116 passes for a combined 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns. He would actually exceed his reception total from the past two seasons with 60 in 2014, but Bowe was held out of the end zone as he gave way to a young, emerging tight end by the name of Travis Kelce.
In March 2015, Bowe was released by the Chiefs after eight seasons in Kansas City. Just a week later, he was signed to a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. However, in Cleveland, Bowe rarely found playing time, and didn’t make his first catch until Week 9 of the 2015 season. Playing in just seven games, he caught five passes for 53 yards, putting a cap on his NFL career.
After being released by the Browns in March of 2016, Bowe took some time before officially retiring, which he finally did in 2019 after signing a one-day contract with the Chiefs.
We have signed Dwayne Bowe to a one-day contract. 📝 He will retire as a Chief.
👍 #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/hiAxd9cN9K
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 16, 2019
Although he didn’t quite live up to the first-round expectations some had for him, Bowe still put up a productive NFL career while becoming one of the Chiefs’ best all-time receivers, finishing with career totals of 537 receptions, 7,208 yards and 44 touchdowns.
Thank you, Dwayne. pic.twitter.com/lS1troSfBj
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 24, 2019
Dwayne Bowe’s net worth, personal life
Across his nine seasons in the NFL, Bowe made over $54 million in career earnings. The 38-year-old is estimated to have a net worth of around $25 million.
After they had been together for over a decade, Bowe married his wife, Theresa, in 2018. Theresa is a Park University grad who has become a successful real estate agent. The couple has two kids: Dwayne Jr. and Rayne.
Dwayne Bowe’s post-playing life
Since retiring from the NFL, Bowe has not strayed far from the limelight. In 2020, he and Theresa starred in a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network called “Love Goals” which features multiple celebrity couples who are receiving counseling in order to overcome challenges and difficulties in their relationships.
However, Bowe’s biggest claim to fame since his time in the NFL has come as a rap artist under the name MoneyBo. Over the last few years, he has released several songs and music videos, many of which can be viewed on his YouTube page, “82 ENTERTAINMENT.”
Bowe and his wife Theresa also have created the foundation “82 Ways” which is designed to give education and resources to children and underserved communities, specifically helping kids that don’t have a strong parental core, similar to what Bowe experienced growing up.
Of course, Bowe has remained close to the Chiefs throughout the last several years as well, attending games and serving as a mentor for the team’s next group of receivers. After the team’s win in Super Bowl LIV, Bowe made an appearance at the team’s victory parade. He also had a brief interview in which he mentioned his desire to have played with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
At Kansas City’s home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, Bowe was welcomed back to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to be the Chiefs’ drum honoree before the game.
Something bout last Night @Chiefs
My Second Home Forever. pic.twitter.com/chzCCd3SOR— Dwayne Bowe (@moneybomusic) September 17, 2022
Despite a tough upbringing, Bowe has gone on to live a very successful life. He became a legend on the gridiron at LSU and with the Chiefs, and continues to pursue his passions following his tremendous football career.
