“I really am living my dream,” says professional wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, as he makes his way from morning practice to his first-ever fashion shoot. Lamb is a busy guy these days and has just returned from a much-needed vacation in Turks and Caicos. “It was my first time there, and I loved it,” he says. “I just got my passport, so it’s my first time a lot of places.”
As the shoot gets underway, Lamb is nervous, but also excited. “I’ve always had an eye and a passion for clothes,” he says. “I love getting dressed.”
This fall, Lamb’s love of fashion is taking him to Paris for Fashion Week, another first. “My favorite designer is Christian Dior. I love that the logo is a CD,” he says with a laugh. Lamb also loves watches and bracelets—anything to adorn his hands, since, as he says, “that’s where the football goes. They take care of me, so I take care of them.”
Football, of course, is Lamb’s first love. He was a first-round pick for Dallas in the 2020 draft and has since become known for his on-the-field prowess as well as his off-the-field style. “You dress for how you want to be in the world, whether that’s fashion or a football uniform,” he says.
Below, Lamb shares his journey to football and how he maintains a positive attitude—and a competitive spirit—in the face of challenges and self-doubt.
When did you first fall in love with football?
My uncle Adam Lamb was a quarterback at Texas Southern University, and my dad used to take me to his games when I was a kid. Once, when my uncle was about to get sacked, he threw the ball away and I caught it. He wasn’t throwing it to me, but I caught it anyway. The crowd started cheering, and I got this rush of adrenaline. It felt so good. I knew I wanted to feel that way for the rest of my life.
Does football mean something different to you now than it did when you were a kid?
It’s different in that now I have to look at it from a business standpoint, but it’s also the same because I still really enjoy playing. It’s easy for me to be out there and score touchdowns and feel that competitive edge. I’ve always wanted to be the best, always wanted to finish first, be the last one standing.
Where do you think this love of the game and your competitive spirit come from?
As a kid, I was really outgoing. I always wanted to play sports. And a lot of guys in my family played football, so I was kind of born into it, although I always had the option to play other sports.
Then, when I was in high school, I lost my uncle. He was my mother’s brother, and she was always taking me over to his place when I was a kid. We got really close. But he joined the armed forces and started going overseas and then, one time, he didn’t come back. Losing him was definitely one of the biggest challenges of my life. It affected me both on and off the field and taught me that you have to just cherish the moment, because you never know when it’s going to be over.
How do you cope with moments of self-doubt?
They definitely cross my mind, but that’s when I will work even harder to push through. Being average or mediocre, that’s not part of the plan. And I’ve definitely had my ups and downs. I’ve been told ‘no’ and ‘that can’t happen’ so many times, but I’ve also done a lot of things that no one ever expected.
You grew up in Texas. How does it feel to be playing for the home team?
It’s unmatched. I truly feel so blessed that every day I get to wake up and do what I love. And the fan base here is amazing. They’re really with you when you’re right, and they’re not afraid to let you hear it when you’re wrong. Football fans are so emphatic, but they can also be really harsh at times.
Everyone wants you to go out there and have a great game every time and for everything to go right, but that’s not life. So the best thing you can do, really, is adjust. And as far as what people are saying, well, they’re going to have an opinion regardless. And thoughts are just thoughts. You have to keep a positive mindset.
What are you most looking forward to about the future?
Just playing more football. And whatever else comes my way, I’m going to embrace it, take it head-on, and not back down.
Charles Manning is a writer, actor, and media consultant who calls New York home.
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