UT alumnus Ray Austin is starring in a reality series on Bravo.
Austin, a 1997 psychology graduate and former defensive back for the Volunteers, is part of the cast for the cable network’s 100 Days of Summer, which chronicles six young, successful, and ambitious Chicagoans as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal, professional, and social lives over one intense summer season.
The show airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesdays. It debuted January 7.
Austin is a former professional football player who is now an entrepreneur, actor, and model. He played for UT from 1993 to 1997, the New York Jets from 1997 to 1998, the Chicago Bears from 1998 to 1999, and the Green Bay Packers from 1999 to 2000. He has appeared in numerous television series, including Prison Break and Chicago Fire; more than a hundred commercials, including spots for McDonald’s and Ford; two films; and dozens of print advertisements.
The series follows the cast members as they attempt to achieve personal and professional goals in 100 days. As an actor and entrepreneur, Austin is hoping to take his career and two businesses to the next level. He has launched a sport talent agency, Industry415 Creative, and a new mobile application, @OpenCall, which utilizes Instagram to find potential models and talent worldwide and connect them with brands for their social media advertising.
“I’d like the audience to see my transition from athletics to entertainer and now to entrepreneur. I also would love to be a host for a show, whether sports or entertainment, and give our sports talent agency some visibility,” said Austin.
Austin credits his experience at UT for teaching him how to deal with adversity and diversity.
“Playing football at Tennessee with teammates from big cities and small towns, I’ve been able to adapt to any environment and learned to judge people by their actions not by their external appearances
For information on Austin and his business ventures, visit www.rayaustin36.com, www.industry415.com and atopencall.com. His twitter handle is @rayaustin36.
For more information about the series, visit bravotv.com.
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C O N T A C T:
Whitney Heins (865-974-5460, wheins@utk.edu)