Like Marcus Smith, Kerry Rhodes came to Louisville as a quarterback. He took some lumps during his first-year post-position change, but once he got into a starting role in his junior year, Rhodes was a dynamic leader for the Cards.
Rhodes was Louisville’s starting free safety in 2003 and registered 82 tackles, three stops behind the line of scrimmage and recorded a sack. In 2004, he was First-Team All-Conference USA, recording six interceptions.
All in all, Rhodes finished his career with 167 tackles and 11 interceptions. He has since had his number honored by the university.
Rhodes’ career took off immediately after leaving Louisville. He started his first career game for the New York Jets. This was the start of a football career that spanned eight years with the Jets and the Arizona Cardinals.
Since his retirement, Rhodes has been inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He has also taken up a career in acting. Known for his “Hollywood personality” in the NFL, Rhodes was always destined for a life on camera after football. He has been in movies like Tragedy Girls, If Loving You is Wrong and General Education.
Rhodes produced a movie called Gone in an Instant. Fun little tidbit: He played a police officer in a Lady Gaga video back during his playing days as well.
Check Rhodes out around the 6:20 mark here.
Among the cast of characters that have come through the Louisville football program, there aren’t many with as versatile of a career as Rhodes.