Desmond Bishop doesnt mind being called weird. Its something hes gotten used to.
The Green Bay Packers inside linebacker admits to having eclectic tastes. Hes been known to enjoy a chick flick. Hop into his car and Bishop may be blaring some Taylor Swift.
And if you happen to see Bishop pulled over on the side of the road, scribbling away in a notebook, dont worry. Hes just working on his screenplay.
Yup.
Bishop wants to pen a movie.
I dont even know if its that Im weird, just unexpected, Bishop said. People have their perception of other people, and I guess I just dont fit their perception.
I think each individual is unique in their own self. Im comfortable with who I am. Period.
So, how does a four-year NFL veteran discover screenwriting when he never took a single class on the topic while attending the University of California?
Bishop isnt even sure.
I read so many books and watch so many movies, Bishop said. Im like, Ive got these ideas in my head. Maybe I can try to write more, write two of these stories I thought of.
I had no background in writing. Im not even that good at English.
Bishop started exploring the idea a few years ago and friends encouraged him to scratch that writing itch. He got in touch with a friend of Packers safety Charlie Peprah who is a writer in Los Angeles.
Bishop purchased some books and is basically teaching himself.
Im still figuring it out, Bishop said. Ive got a few books, screenwriters for dummies, basically. Im just reading it and trying to learn the basics. To tell a story is really hard. Just for anybody to tell any story you have to have a beginning, middle and end and it all has to flow.
Just like the basics of telling a story is where Im at. Basic fundamentals.
Bishops favorite movie is the The Count of Monte Cristo, based on the book written by Alexandre Dumas in 1844. He said he has read 90 percent of best-selling author James Pattersons books. Among Bishops favorite writers: Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Dan Brown and Nathan McCall.
His movie interests range from The Notebook to Menace II Society.
I watch everything, Bishop said. I took a little bruising around here because I openly admitted I like The Notebook, which is a chick flick.
Ive got tremendous respect for writers. Its definitely not easy. Its kind of like just waking up one day at 25 and saying you want to try out for the NFL. You cant just do that. I feel like Im treading into unknown territory.
The process may be unknown, but Bishop has an idea and thats the first step. The premise is a detective mystery with serial killers on the loose. The main character must track them down.
Hes like smart and tough and rough around the edges, Bishop said. Not many people understand him or how he does things. But at the end of the day, you have to respect him.
The character is based on a lot of the things I read and watched. Kind of like a younger, more handsome House.
But writing takes time and thats the one thing Bishop doesnt have a lot of these days.
Bishop entered the most critical stretch of his career when linebacker Nick Barnett (wrist) was placed on injured reserve this week. Bishop hasnt been able to crack the starting lineup for the previous three years, buried behind Barnett and A.J. Hawk.
Bishop has earned the nickname Mr. August for his strong play in the preseason, but those efforts have never translated into regular-season success. But hes never had this type of opportunity.
Bishop started in the 16-13 overtime loss at Washington last week, stayed on the field for all three downs and posted a game-high 13 tackles. This is a contract year and Bishop now has an 11-week tryout to prove himself to the Packers or another franchise.
Ive been wanting this opportunity for a long time, Bishop said. Its what Ive been itching to do for a while.
I had my doubts (if this would ever happen). But I always believed it would work out some way, somehow.
The word that coaches continue to throw around when it comes to Bishop is consistency. Its obvious he can make plays, defensive coordinator Dom Capers pointed out Bishop has a tendency to try to do too much. In search of the big play, he sometimes loses track of his assignment.
Thats what Bishop must show, and last week was a strong start.
The main thing is stay humble, inside linebackers coach Winston Moss said. Every week, just try to get better and stay hungry.
Now you want to be consistent. Coaches look at that. What kind of guy can you be on an every-Sunday basis?
So the writing focus takes a back seat for the moment. There are bigger tasks to accomplish.
I know its my opportunity now to play and kind of take over, so to speak, Bishop said. I have huge shoes to fill. But Im embracing it. Im ready for it.