��

Skip to main content

Advertising

Ex-��WR Matthew Cherry wins Animated Short Oscar

Published: Feb 10, 2020 at 03:16 AM

Headshot_Author_Nick-Toney_1400x1000

Nick Toney

Editor, The Checkdown

Matthew Cherry now has more Oscar wins than ��receptions.

The former journeyman WR completed a remarkable career shift by winning Best Animated Short Film for "Hair Love."

Cherry saw time on the Jaguars, Bengals, Panthers, and Ravens rosters in the mid-2000's. His second act as a director figures to make a much bigger impact.

"We have a firm belief that representation matters deeply" Congrats to Hair Love for taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.
— ABC (@ABCNetwork)

The story of Cherry's film is as big an underdog story as its ex-wideout director. "Hair Love" started out as a Cherry's Kickstarter project about an African-American father's relationship with his daughter and more minority representation in mainstream animation.

It raised over $284,000, starting Cherry down a path he impressively called way back in 2012.

I'm gonna be nominated for an Oscar one day. Already claiming it
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry)

Any 3D artists follow me? I got an Oscar worthy short film idea to go with this image. Get at me 😳
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry)

Cherry is only the second professional athlete to ever win an Oscar. The late Kobe Bryant won one in 2018.

You can watch the entire animated short here.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

DK Metcalf could really qualify for the 100M Olympic Trials

Here's how the Seahawks star could end up in Tokyo as an Olympic sprinter

Texas Tech's Zech McPhearson comes from America's most athletic family

The Red Raiders' draft hopeful hails from a family full of pro and collegiate athletes.

Giants great Eli Manning is now a fourth-grade basketball coach

The two-time Super Bowl champion spent his first season of retirement coaching his daughter's hoops team.

Did a 'Call of Duty' game reveal this free agent's plans?

A hot mic might've leaked Rashaad Coward's new Steelers deal a little too early.

Watch Bill Belichick shave his whole head for charity

Patriots LB Brandon King gave his legendary coach a big buzzcut to benefit Boston's Children's Hospital

Texas Tech is already recruiting Patrick Mahomes' daughter

Sterling Mahomes might be the first two-week-old with a letter of intent for a full athletic scholarship.

When will Aaron Rodgers guest host 'Jeopardy!?'

The Packers QB reportedly has his quiz show hosting dates set.

Alvin Kamara won Drew Brees' son his fantasy league

Eleven-year-old Baylen Brees can thank No. 41 after a historic six-touchdown fantasy performance.

The NFL's best origin story belongs to Younghoe Koo

Atlanta's kicker is having an unbelievable season. Even more unbelievable? How far he came to get here.

Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship drops bars in 2018 rap single

Volume up. You'll want to hear this flow from the glasses-wearing Georgia product with the golden leg.

Official Rules: Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert Jersey Giveaway

The Checkdown is giving away Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert jerseys before their Week 10 showdown.

LeBron James considered football during 2011 NBA lockout

Would Lakers star LeBron James dominate football, too? We nearly found out in 2011.