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By Janell Hazelwood | Published February 28, 2012 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

POWER: Former NFL player Matthew Cherry used his on-field discipline and sportsmanship to become a film and music video director. In only a few short years, Cherry has directed videos for artists including Jazmine Sullivan, Kindred and Bilal, and worked on the set of hit shows including the CW's Girlfriends. His next feature film, The Last Fall, (which he wrote and directed) stars Lance Gross, Nicole Beharie Brown and Vanessa Bell Calloway, and will premiere at film festivals this spring. PASSION: “When money is tight and you have to do more with less, passion is what pushes you through.” PATH: After completing his career in football, Cherry took his talents to Los Angeles where he started as a production assistant working on commercials. After his commercial work, he landed his Girlfriends gig, gaining inspiration from directors including Debbie Allen. He worked as a production assistant on NBC's Heroes before deciding to venture out on his own.

POWER: Former NFL player Matthew Cherry used his on-field discipline and sportsmanship to become a…