Drue Chrisman's Journey: From Bengals to Tryouts and Viral Videos
Drue Chrisman, a punter who garnered attention during his stint with the Cincinnati Bengals, has had a tumultuous year filled with team tryouts, viral videos, and a strong social media presence. The 2022 season saw Chrisman making a name for himself, averaging 42.6 net yards per punt, placing him 10th overall in the league. However, despite his on-field performance, Chrisman found himself cut from the Bengals in August 2023.
Since his release, Chrisman has been on a relentless quest to secure a new position in the NFL. He tried out for multiple teams, taking every opportunity to showcase his skills and find a new professional home. On August 13, Chrisman was invited to try out with the Washington Commanders. Eager to share his journey, Chrisman documented the experience in a detailed video that he released five days later.
The video provided fans a rare inside look at the tryout process and included a candid moment where a Commanders assistant coach informed Chrisman that the team did not plan to sign him. This transparency, however, drew the ire of the Commanders' legal team. "The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," one source reported. Despite the request, Chrisman decided to keep the video up, asserting his right to share his experiences.
This was not the first time Chrisman used video to connect with his followers. Earlier in the month, he had released a similar video showcasing his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, the 49ers did not react to the content Chrisman shared in the same way as the Commanders, allowing the video to remain without issue.
Chrisman's journey hasn't been limited to the NFL alone. In April, he signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Unfortunately, his time with the Stallions was short-lived. He was released in May after filling in for injured punter Colby Wadman. This brief tenure was another chapter in Chrisman's unpredictable year, which remains defined by his determination to find a stable spot on a professional team.
As of now, Chrisman remains a free agent, continuing to navigate the competitive and often unforgiving world of professional football. His willingness to document his journey, provide transparency, and challenge authority highlights a new era in athlete-fan engagement. It's an era where stories are shared directly from the players, unfiltered by traditional media and unperturbed by organizational control.
Chrisman's story is far from over. As he continues to pursue his NFL dreams, his fans will undoubtedly follow his every move, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this compelling narrative. Whether he finds a new team or encounters more obstacles, Drue Chrisman's journey remains a testament to resilience and the power of personal storytelling in the digital age.