Cooking and music: Houston’s offensive linemen find creative outlets away from football

A savory aroma of grilled food filled the summer air over a Houston neighborhood.

But it wasn’t the typical pitmaster behind this cookout.

It was offensive lineman Shadre Hurst. Full-time football player, part-time chef.

“I do a lot of good home cooking. A lot of meals,” Hurst said of his culinary skills.

He and Houston running back Makhi Hughes, whom he reunites with from their time at Tulane, recently invited teammates for a get-together.

The menu featured chicken, wings, baked beans, sweet potatoes, as well as macaroni and cheese—enough to feed over a dozen teammates.

“This dude can cook, he throws down,” defensive lineman Ashton Porter shouted as he stood beside a smiling Hurst. “That mac and cheese, boy!”

“Making mac and cheese? Specialty,” Hurst said of his signature side.

“It was a good time. We all got in there, and really just hung out and got a good feel for each other,” Hurst said of the gathering, which included the rest of the offensive line. 

Cooking is just one example of how Houston’s offensive linemen spend their time away from football.

While Hurst is finding his next recipe, fellow offensive lineman Larry Crawford channels his creativity through music, recording and releasing music under the stage name “1Larro,” a name given to him by his older brother, who was already a rapper.

What began as a hobby has grown into something  Crawford believes could become a career outside of football.

When Crawford first arrived in Houston two years ago, he showed players and coaches several of his songs. 

“They told me I had something, so I just kept rapping, kept making songs,” Crawford said of the feedback.

The encouragement inspired him to create an Apple Music profile under his artist name, with numerous tracks available, and more possibly on the way.

As the catalog continues to grow, Crawford says the music serves a bigger purpose than just streams.

“For me, I feel like rap is my therapy. It’s something I do in my free time to find my peace,” he stated. “I feel like rapping is peaceful.”

Crawford isn’t the only offensive lineman with a musical side, either.

Though rap is Crawford’s outlet, Alvin Ebosele has found his own, in playing the guitar.

It’s a hobby he has explored since he was 13, but is now “trying to take it more seriously.”

His recent progress has given him the confidence to cover songs he enjoys.

“Grenade by Bruno Mars has been what I’ve been practicing a good bit. It’s one of my favorite songs,” Ebosele said.

As much as Ebosele enjoys playing guitar himself, he’s just as supportive of Crawford’s music.

“1Larro, that’s tough bro! We’ve got to get it playing on the speakers in the stadium, man,” Ebosele said.

If Crawford’s music ever reaches the mainstream, Ebosele has just one request.

“I’d love a quick little shoutout when he makes it big, triple platinum,” Ebosele said, patting his own chest. “Remember where he came from.”