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CHARLOTTE — A former NFL player and Queen City native is trading in his football moves for music and taking the stage at the premiere of the upcoming season of American Idol, according to our partners at The Charlotte Observer.
( READ ALSO: ‘It was definitely scary’: Clover man advances to the next round on ‘American Idol’ )
Blake Proehl played football at Providence High School before heading to East Carolina University, where he played wide receiver. In 2021, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent following that year’s draft. the observer says.
According NFL.com, his brother Austin Proehl was drafted in 2018 during the seventh round by the Buffalo Bills. He now plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL.
A torn ACL in training camp caused Prohel to miss his entire rookie season, but he was able to return to the field in 2022, where he spent the season on the practice squad.
In 2023, the Vikings waived Proehl, the Observer reports. His father, Richy Prohel, played in the NFL for more than 15 years, including three for the Carolina Panthers as a wide receiver.
The observer reports that Proehl brought his grandmother to his audition.
( READ ALSO: Charlotte native receives golden ticket after American Idol audition )
“I grew up in a football family,” he said in a preview of the show’s premiere, which was shared on YouTube. “But I had a very serious injury. The doctors said, ‘It will be a success story if you can run again.’”
Proehl has amassed more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, where he shares videos of himself singing covers of popular pop songs like Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Wish You the Best’ and ‘Someone You Loved.’ the observer says.
Three years ago, she posted a TikTok in which she appeared playing the piano and singing in front of her grandmother, a post that earned her almost 4 million likes.
“I think I found music super healing, and my grandmother is the reason I’m here,” Prohel told American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan during her audition. “She’s the reason I have the confidence to be in this room.”
According The observerProhel sang a cover of Brett Young’s ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’, which earned him Perry’s seal of approval.
“Every grandmother thinks her grandchildren are great, but you’re right,” she told Proehl’s grandmother.
After his performance, the judges gave Proehl a golden ticket to his next stop: Hollywood.
(WATCH BELOW: ‘Believe in yourself’: Local American Idol contestant inspires students to chase dreams)
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