The 2023-24 NFL season is coming to a close, with the Super Bowl just around the corner. However, the NFL Honors come first, with all of the regular-season awards being announced.
This year’s edition of the event will be hosted once again by actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key. But prior to his acting career, did Key ever play in the NFL?
A Look at Keegan-Michael Key’s Career
The NFL Honors show first debuted in 2012 and has been an annual event ever since. The event recognizes the NFL’s best players, performances, and plays from the season and will announce the AP Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player, and Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards, among others.
In addition to those major awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class will be announced.
Key’s hosting of the show will mark the third time he’s done it. Some other previous hosts include Kelly Clarkson, Steve Harvey, Alec Baldwin, Seth Meyers, Rob Riggle, and Conan O’Brien. Key previously hosted the 2021 (Los Angeles) and 2017 (Houston) editions.
Key is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning actor, writer, and producer. He’s most famously known for co-starring in the sketch series Key & Peele from 2012 to 2015 alongside co-host Jordan Peele. He’s also known for acting in Mad TV, Playing House, Friends from College, and Reboot, among others.
Key’s first experience with the NFL came back in 2003 when he was in a commentary/additional voices role with NFL Blitz Pro, an 11-on-11 licensed smash-mouth football videogame owned by EA.
Key’s never played football at a high level, but he’s acted in quite a few football videos. His most famous football acting appearance came as Hingle McCringleberry in Key & Peele’s “McCringleberry’s Excessive Celebration” video.
MORE: Finalists Revealed for the NFL Honors
Key was born in Southfield, Michigan, and has openly been a fan of the Detroit Lions. Additionally, he attended both the University of Detroit Mercy and Pennsylvania State University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Fine Arts. He started his professional career in 1999.
NFL Honors will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. ET. Fans will be able to watch the event on CBS or Paramount+, while it will be taking place in Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!