Former NFL Player Blake Proehl Stuns American Idol Judges with Emotional Audition
via American Idol / YouTube
American Idol fans were treated to an array of impressive auditions during the show’s 22nd season premiere on Sunday night. Among the standout performances was one from a former NFL player, Blake Proehl, who left the football field behind to pursue his passion for music.
Proehl’s Football Career and Musical Pivot
Hailing from North Carolina, Proehl had a promising career as a wide receiver at East Carolina University before signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Unfortunately, his rookie season was derailed by a torn ACL during training camp, forcing him to spend the following year on the practice squad.
After being cut from the Vikings, Proehl shifted his focus to music and began sharing song covers on TikTok, where he quickly gained a substantial following. One of his most notable videos featured him serenading his grandmother for the first time, playing the piano and singing Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know.”
View this post on Instagram
Proehl’s Heartfelt Audition and Judges’ Reaction
During his American Idol audition, Proehl chose to perform the same song, accompanied by his grandmother for the special moment. Expressing gratitude for her support, he shared with the judges,
“I think I just found music super healing, and my grandma is the reason why I’m here. She’s the reason why I have any confidence at all to be in this room.”
Impressed by his performance and moved by his heartfelt connection to music, the judges unanimously voted to send Proehl through to Hollywood. Lionel Richie even predicted that he would be a Top 10 finisher, praising Blake’s grandmother for recognizing his talent from the start.
With his emotional audition and undeniable musical ability, Proehl has captured the hearts of American Idol viewers and is poised to make a memorable impression as he continues his journey on the show.
You can watch Blake Proehl’s rendition of ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ below:
