Corey Clement Tackling the World
By: Aaron Royce
Upon graduating from college, most people don’t pursue their childhood passions. This isn’t the case for Corey Clement, the 24-year old running back who’s skyrocketed to fame since his Superbowl LII win as an undrafted free agent. To win one of the world’s largest sporting events at such a young age-and for the Philadelphia Eagles, no less-is a remarkable feat. And with a strong musical career emerging as he enters his next season, it’s clear he’s just getting started.
Clement’s interest in football began when he was in high school, originally pursuing basketball. “I was slowly introduced to football, and the contact nature of the game felt more at ease,” he recalls, citing advice given to him in his sophomore year. “One trainer said if I wanted to seriously play football, I couldn’t jump from sport to sport. I weighed my options and loved football; football was always a love of my life.”
After gaining numerous college scholarships, Clement continued to pursue football and fulfill his dream career in the NFL. “Part of my challenge was to show people on a different level that I could play,” he says of the challenges faced by expanding his sports interests into a full-fledged career. “When I played the Superbowl, I just realized it was another football game we were playing, even though it’s the highest pinnacle of the NFL. As a rookie, I was thinking that this is my moment, and the team’s moment, to give back and be a part of history.”
That football game changed his life. “I was in complete shock. I learned that so many NFL veterans and star players have never had the chance to reach that biggest game, so it was an honor,” Clement says. “I’m so thankful and fortunate to have the organization and players that got that job done. I never took it for granted.”
Since that win, Clement’s life has become more at ease with fame, and more comfortable with the athletic system. “I’ve gained more self-recognition and am more at ease with the system, and knowing how a season should go,” he says of his expanding football knowledge, additionally citing social media as a platform he can use to inspire others and himself. “Personally, I gained more attention-especially on platforms like Instagram. That’s definitely been helpful with making something of myself, and I have to use that for a big-time moment. It allows me to speak to a lot of people by putting myself out there, and to show people they can achieve a better life.”
In addition to being a pro athlete, Clement has recently encompassed the titles of singer, producer, and songwriter. After being raised in a musical family, his interest in music has taken flight and grown since he’s gained the means to produce and the time to perfect his craft. “I do a lot of songwriting and music production, and have a brother who does music; I just have a knack for it,” says Clement, who took his music more seriously once he could buy equipment to make higher quality sounds. “As far as it comes to making beats, I pride myself on not basing my music on other people’s styles.”
That versatility is one of his strong suits to individuality, as Clement’s inspirations and music span different genres. “I’m definitely involved in hip-hop and R&B, but I have appreciation for all genres,” he says, citing Motley Crue, Drake, and the Weeknd as sources of inspiration and learning. “Motley Crue was a band I never got the chance to dive into, but with that rock aspect and 80’s punk style, you gain so much knowledge about what avenues people want to hear and aren’t just in one lane. I also love Drake and the Weeknd’s styles, since they give out great vibes that people want to listen to and relate to. It’s all about finding things that people can relate to and connecting to a wider audience.”
Musically, those inspirations have also taught Clement the value of maximizing his opportunity to create. “From a musical aspect, for example, Drake knows he can help out underground artists and just has this personality that he gives off-he cares about the image and vibes he gives off,” he says. “I’m finding out how to maximize my opportunities with my brand, image and music at the same time.”
Personally, Clement’s biggest inspiration comes, like his musical background, from family. “My mom is definitely my biggest inspiration,” he says. “We didn’t have everything in life that we always wanted and had complications, like every family does, but she never gave up. If she had to do smaller jobs just to get food on the table, or just whatever dollars she could make, she didn’t see that as affecting her.”
