Former Chiefs star Bowe enjoying second career as musician, reality-TV entertainer

Dwayne Bowe has never shied away from the limelight.

A Pro-Bowl receiver who played seven years for the Kansas City Chiefs, Bowe was known for his acrobat catches and outspoken interviews.

But today, Bowe is searching out a different spotlight.

He has just released the single “Onna Wave” — a rap song dedicated to the laid-back South Florida lifestyle — and will co-star with his wife Theresa in the forthcoming reality-television show, “Love Goals.”

Bowe said he learned to perform during his childhood as a means of escape. He overcame life without his biological parents. He helped raise five sisters and brothers — some, he said, were facing murder charges — and lived with aunts and uncles who were dying from AIDS.

Originally from the Carol City area of Miami, drugs, death, incarceration and violence were prominent parts of Bowe’s life.

Bowe said he found himself in many neighborhood fights when he was young and thus spent a lot of time with his cassette player, freestyle rapping to escape from the upheaval taking place around him.

When he was in 11th grade, a brawl in which he was involved prompted Norland High School’s football coach to notice Bowe’s athleticism. The coach in Miami challenged him to channel his aggression into sports.

Bowe went on to star for LSU as a wide receiver and become the Chiefs’ first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

“Growing up in Miami was tough, but it helped shape who I am,” Bowe said.

Raised by his grandmother, “Money Bo” — a nickname from his playing days — created “82 Way,” a foundation aimed at helping struggling families lacking a strong parental core.

Music has remained a passion, Bowe said. When he retired from pro football in 2019 in spite of what he called continued interest from around the league, he looked forward to the opportunity to spend more time with his growing family ... and get back to creating music.

Bowe, who said he owns a small island off the Miami coast, wants his artistry to bring his listeners a positive message. Among his influencers, he cited rapper 50 Cent, a successful entrepreneur.

Bowe also said he wants his music to inspire other athletes. He likes the idea of being what he calls a “rap-lete” — rapper + athlete.

“I want to give other players a voice,” Bowe said. “Give some of the guys encouragement and the courage (to perform). We have a positive message that it’s not all about jewelry, cars and clothes — that we can become role models, and do even more good.”

Married in 2018 to his 11-year girlfriend, Bowe is also grabbing headlines by appearing in “Love Goals,” a television show on the Oprah Winfrey Network that depicts couples dealing with the highs and lows of marriage. Rap star Coolio will also appear on the show, which airs March 7.

Wife Theresa, a Park University graduate, said she plans to have a public “watch party” in Kansas City toward the end of March (additional details to come, she said).

“We really enjoyed doing (Love Rules), and it taught us about friendship within a marriage and how important that is to put to the forefront,” Theresa said.

A successful real estate agent, Theresa said she bonded with Oprah over the fact that both had been abused as young people. Theresa is also working on a book entitled “Don’t Touch Me,” which she said will be published later this year.

His entrepreneurial, musical and charity undertakings keep him plenty busy these days, but Bowe said he often thinks fondly about the team where he earned Pro-Bowl recognition in 2010 — his 15 touchdown receptions that year led the NFL and remains a Chiefs single-season record.

He said past Chief players such as Kimble Anders and Gary Stills came to his Super Bowl watch party in Miami. Also attending were his son, 8, and his 3-year old daughter.

“Seeing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl was amazing” Bowe said. “It brought back a lot of memories, and we love Kansas City so it was great to see a win.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 2:28 PM.