KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s often said if people find a job they love, they’ll never work a day in their life.
The cliché could very well apply to safety Quintin Demps, who manages to combine two occupations at the young age of 28.
Photo courtesy of The PoweR Agency.
Demps’ enthusiasm transitioned well on the field in 2013 where he led the Chiefs with four interceptions and paced a record-setting special teams return game with 992 yards and a touchdown on 33 attempts (30.1 yards per return).
Beyond the football field, Demps merged his athletic prowess and a joy of music with his Christian faith to inspire others.
Reached by phone in Texas, Demps explained why he founded Purpose By Faith Music Group in 2012 as an opportunity to write and record original scores, which features an infusion of hip-hop and gospel.
“I think my purpose here is to really influence the generation, really help people, not just youth, but anybody to not make the same mistakes I did growing up,” Demps said. “It’s through music. I’ve been passionate about music for a while now.”
This isn’t Demps’ first venture into the music industry.
The San Antonio native originally started a recording label, Red Shirt Records, while in college at the University of Texas-El Paso. But it took a backseat when the Miners football coaching staff made him a starter.
A few years later with his NFL career stabilized, Demps reignited his musical desires. He said he wants his songs to offer an alternative to some of the mainstream rap lyrics sensationalizing questionable behavior or exploiting women.
“I’m using my music to combat that, to let people know you don’t have to do those things to have a good life,” Demps said. “Life’s not about that. Women are more than just tricks or garden tools. That’s kind of the message behind it.”
Demps admits there were moments when he wanted to stop making music based on the stereotypes surrounding athletes and rap music he’s experienced from the outside.
But Demps said he’s drawn from the encouragement of his teammates as added motivation.
“To see what I get from my teammates – guys into music – in the locker room is exceptional,” Demps said. “They keep me going. They see if I haven’t put anything out in a while. I guess it’s because they understand my language, they understand the lingo more than anybody else does. They receive it well.”
Of course, the players Demps will call teammates for the 2014 season remains unknown.
The sixth-year pro, who signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in May 2013, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent when the league’s calendar year begins on March 11.
Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Quintin Demps (35) celebrates with cornerback Sean Smith (27) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) after intercepting a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Demps, who comes off his best season as a pro where he was also named All-AFC at kick returner by the Pro Football Writers of America, said he’s hopeful for a return to Kansas City.
He also offered thoughts on the personal and professional significance of a potential re-signing with the Chiefs.
“It would mean they wanted me,” Demps said. “It would mean a lot, playing with some guys on the team I thought were a great group of guys in the locker room and I love playing for Andy (Reid). It would mean a lot.”
Richard Baldinger, an NFL analyst with KCTV-5, said he believes how the Chiefs address the defensive secondary during the offseason will factor in the team’s decision to potentially bring back Demps.
Still, Baldinger adds Demps’ versatility on special teams and ability to bolster depth in the secondary could work in the former UTEP star’s favor.
“Whether or not he’ll be the starter, I don’t know,” Baldinger said. “But I think he offers something in terms of depth. You always have to have depth on a team. You have to have guys that bring an attitude to the special teams, and I think he did that.”
Ultimately, the NFL is forever a business, a point Demps understands based on a career with three different teams, including two stints with Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
If he’s not with the Chiefs in 2014, Demps said he’ll look back at the 2013 season with fondness as an individual and a teammate.
“Individually, I look back at I had my best season ever,” Demps said. “Did I leave some plays out there; do I wish I would’ve done some things better? Of course.
“As a teammate, I look back as the Chiefs were not a good team a couple years prior to last season. When Andy Reid did the turnaround, it was remarkable. It was definitely a fun season to be a part of, going 9-0, never was I ever a part of anything like that. All in all, it’s all positive, nothing negative. I’m going to grow from that experience.”
In the meantime, Demps continues his growth as an artist.
He’s spent the past two months of the NFL offseason promoting his music through the Testimony Tour and speaking engagements with churches and youth groups, according to his Los Angeles-based public relations and marketing team, The PoweR Agency.
But while Demps enjoys advocating his message, don’t expect him to showcase his talents in the foreseeable future on NBC’s hit show, “The Voice.”
“Absolutely not,” Demps said with a hearty laugh. “I can’t sing to save my life.”
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