Former NIU Linebacker Goes From Playing Football to Videographer

Former NIU linebacker Renard Cheren is another example of how football’s violent nature has had an impact on current and former players. Cheren grew up in Lake Worth, Florida and loved to play football. As a Senior at Park Vista High, he suffered his first concussion. In an article written by Dan Krauth from NBC affiliate WPTV-TV, Cheren recalls that same experience. “My head was just ringing at the time,” said Cheren after the varsity football player hit his head during a play. “I just had a big headache, I was just out of it basically,” he said.” From that point on, he just unfortunately could not escape them. Standing at six-feet even and weighing 215 pounds, Cheren was considered “undersized” for a linebacker, but that didn’t stop him from making an impact on the field. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Cheren played in thirteen games and started in all but one. He ended up with 63 tackles, which ranked fifth most on the NIU defense and top among all freshman players. With things looking up for the huskie alum, he began to suffer more concussions. As a redshirt Sophomore, Cheren suffered a career-ending head injury. After the gruesome experience, he ultimately decided to step away from football and pursue a different path as a videographer. In a recent classroom visit to his alma mater, Cheren discussed his journey and outlined some of the skills he possesses as a Steadicam/Cam operator, editor, etc. As a high schooler, Cheren would make dance videos and football highlight videos of himself and others. Cheren would then post them on his YouTube channel, to which he still owns, as more of a hobby. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California and loves his profession. Cheren noted that football has helped him transition into his current profession, as it requires a lot of physical movement and a “steady back.” Multiple head injuries forced Cheren to turn his hobby into a reality; his path to success partially came from the impact football had left upon him.