Dhani Tackles The Globe
Bengals linebacker gives new meaning to the level playing field
2009-03-11
By Terry Glover
Dhani Jones, a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals found a novel way to spend the off-season. Jones has signed on as host to a new Travel Channel show, "Dhani Tackles The Globe" that is bound to be a rush for any armchair sports nut (you know who you are.)
Jones’ show promises much more than reports from the locker room: In each locale, he throws himself, mano-a-mano, into the host country’s most beloved sport, competing fair and square against the game’s top athletes and emerges, win or lose, a better man. As bashing bodies and breaking a sweat tends to break down barriers, Jones follows up each round of sports with another round – usually beer. We caught up with him during a production layover to get the scoop on what to expect.
Nice gig! How’d you get involved?
I worked with a company called Red Line Films on some promotional stuff. We maintained a relationship and tried out different ideas in terms of what might be a good fit for me. This idea came up. Travel Channel took to it. They offered a pilot and we started shooting.
One of the exciting things about it is there are so many different sports and different countries, and I’m always up for a challenge. Whether it’s rugby or cheese rolling there are so many things outside the box, and still, so many things close to home. Suddenly, you’re playing a sport that’s well respected and loved by the people who live there. By the same token, they see you as an athlete respected in your own country.
You say you’re going to bridge the cultural gap by “throwing yourself into local sports.” Are you really going to mix it up in a game of rugby?
When I was in London I played with Black Heath. I played for about 15 minutes. In Ireland I played for Scarsfield in a playoff game. In every sport I compete at the highest level possible. Every practice they have, I practice. Everything is about my full immersion in their sport, full immersion in their culture.
Do you think all prejudices can be wiped out on the field?
Playing to the best of your ability allows you to speak to athletes on an equal footing. If they see you’re genuine, they’ll show you all kinds of hospitality. Because he’s opened up my mind on his sport, that let’s me open up my culture to him.
All of a sudden, here’s a different perspective. Here’s a different lifestyle.
Describe the process for putting together the show.
I’m only there for 8 days, so basically a shoot is about 10 days, including two days of travel. The competition would be at the very end, so I would have a few days to practice and its up to me to determine how quickly I adapt. With all the Travel Channel hosts, you’ll find that they’re all met with some sort of X Factor. For me it’s a sport I’ve never played, people I’ve never met.
Is there really such a thing as a friendly game?
When I play, its play-off games, it’s full on, just as if someone came over and played with my team. It’s intense.
Which country has a more competitive spirit than America?
I don’t think there’s any country that would have a more competitive spirit. Having said that, an athlete -- no matter where they’re from -- will have equal levels of competition whether you’re being paid millions of dollars or not getting paid at all. The drive is within you and that’s what you look for in the next competitor.
What’s the most unusual sport you’ve come across so far?
Here are the sports I’ve done: Rugby; Hurling, which is like field hockey mixed with baseball mixed with lacrosse; Jai alai; Muy Thai boxing and Schwingen -- Swiss wrestling -- which is American folk wrestling mixed with Greco-Roman mixed with Sumo.
Were most of the athletes familiar with American football?
Not really. They were always commenting on Refrigerator Perry or Joe Montana. Some are more aware of the sport as it is now. There is an American Game that’s played in London. In Asia, there’s a heavy NFL influence in flag football. [NFL] Commissioner Tagliabu was there.
What would you like to think you’re leaving behind at each locale?
What I’m leaving behind is also what I’m telling people back home: there is another world out there. Watch my show, and you’ll see there’s another world besides your vacation and your backyard. There’s an open mentality and we want to learn as much about your country as you want to learn about ours. Let’s establish an open relationship.
Dhani Tackles The Globe premieres Monday, March 16 on The Travel Channel. Catch a previewof each episode every week here on EbonyJet.com.
Watch the preview now!
