NFL star Lawrence Cager (#83 on the New York Giants) seamlessly transitions into the world of modeling while maintaining his illustrious football career, leveraging his interests in entertainment and fashion with his recent signage to Summit Models Management.
Self-assured and grounded, Lawrence Cager knows his abilities are not limited to only football. Fresh off his first touchdown in the Giants vs. Texans game, Cager says he worked all his life for that moment. Meticulous training, clean-restricted-eating and hours of watching film created what is now Cager’s career highlight. But it’s what’s happening between the meals and workouts that has set a fire for Cager’s future. Immersed in the streetwear scene, Cager finds himself planning his pre and post game looks. ‘No stylist’ is Cager’s motto these days as he carefully curates his effortless flair all himself. At 245 pounds of lean muscle and a staggering 6’5 stature, Cager was seemingly born to be a billboard for what’s poppin’. From Prada to Balenciaga, Cager has made waves with his fashion sense on social media gaining a following of 36.7K followers; all waiting to see what he will rep next. Cager brings the sleek blend of athleticism, style, and influence to the table.
Much of his interests in the entertainment and fashion space took an exciting turn with his recent signage to Summit Models Management Agency, an all-inclusive boutique agency with a presence in LA, Miami, and NY. Cager’s collaboration with Summit Models opens the door to a realm of brand partnerships that perfectly align with his personal values. With a focus on authenticity and creativity, Cager seeks partnerships that resonate with his vision. Summit Models, recognizing the importance of these values, is actively working to facilitate collaborations that reflect Cager’s unique persona and aspirations. The agency is poised to play a pivotal role in bringing these synergistic brand deals to fruition, solidifying Lawrence Cager’s presence in both the sports and modeling worlds.
During our conversation, the New York Giants Tight End tells us more about his style inspirations, his decisions on signing to the modeling agency and how he plans to balance it all.
The Knockturnal: Congratulations on your touchdown in the Giants vs Texans game! How does achieving such a significant milestone in your football career feel?
Lawrence Cager: It was big. That was my first touchdown ever in the NFL. So it was great. It felt like a long time coming. [A lot of] hard work paid off; you work all your life to get to that moment. There are many more [to come] after that. So that first one was like the break ground of achievement of a milestone. I couldn’t just thank God for being there in that moment and having more opportunities.
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager | Photo By: NFL NY Giants Organization
The Knockturnal: Even after achieving a touchdown, do you feel more pressure to get more? Or are you living in the moment and celebrating like ‘my first big one’?
Lawrence Cager: As a professional athlete, you feel that pressure every day, especially as somebody like me, who pushes himself to the max every day. You put more pressure on yourself than outside influences because you live up to certain expectations. You have in your mind what you want to be and what goals you set every year and every day to get better. But that comes with the game, and [I also think] that comes with trying to be one of the greatest to play.
The Knockturnal: Balancing a successful football career with a new venture in modeling and fashion can be demanding. What made you want to get into the entertainment/fashion space?
Lawrence Cager: My whole life, I’ve been into dressing. Seeing what Kanye did, in more of freelance streetwear, like mismatching brands, took me into that space in high school and middle school, even college, especially when [I remember a time] when Jerking was a big thing. It was the nerdy look that was in. He [kind of] started. It was the collared shirt with the sweater and jeans tucked in. He set trends, and I picked up on that. I have also been going with what comes to mind [when styling myself]. I usually go off the top of my mind with how I feel I dress, more of a mood-of-the-day type thing.
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager | Photo by: Josh Sobel property of Summit Models Management
The Knockturnal: You’ve signed on with Summit Models Management. Talk to me more about your decision to sign on with them. What drew you to pursue a career in modeling to begin with?
Lawrence Cager: I didn’t have one at first. [A lot of] people in my life since I was a young kid used to say to me, “You have the perfect model face and body you can do it!” I’ve always been an athlete. I played sports my whole life. Every season, I jumped into another sports season. Also, getting here and developing a relationship with Stas [Summit Models Management CEO] has been great. She’s also said, “Yo, you have all the potential in the world, and in this industry, it’s crazy that you haven’t even started yet!” Working with her and just understanding what comes with it. Using my creative intelligence and God-given abilities each day is like, why not try to get into it? I think that’s been the reason.
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager | Photo by Josh Sobel property of Summit Models Management
The Knockturnal: With your growing presence in the fashion industry, do you have any other specific style icons or fashion inspirations that influence your style?
Lawrence Cager: Kanye! If you ask people today, especially with how streetwear is very big now, Kanye is most likely the number one answer. Pharell is a great one as well. He has great style. And then everything else is just so part of looking at what’s trending, what’s hot, trying not to be too trendy, and trying to make your things [style]. As far as icons, those two are probably my biggest ones.
The Knockturnal: How do you think your experience on the football field contributes to your approach in the modeling and fashion industry?
Lawrence Cager: It comes with me being so even-keeled. There’s no secret. We go out there in front of 100,000 people every week and try to perform to the best of our ability. Lights are always on us. We have runway pictures [every day which] you go in and out of the games. So I have experience with that. There’s no moment or no stage too big for me. I don’t get nervous about a lot. I know who I am. I know what I’m going to be. I’m going to be the best that is.
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager| Photo By: NFL NY Giants Organization
The Knockturnal: Are there specific brands you’re particularly excited to collaborate with, considering your background in football and personal interests?
Lawrence Cager: One brand I like a lot coming out right now is Balenciaga. I like a lot of their sporty looks. But also they have a little of high-end fashion, it’s just a good mix in between. Not a lot of brands do that. I mean, Louis Vuitton has been Louis Vuitton especially, with Pharell taking over. But as far as regular, [not high-end,] I’m into New Balance. I’m from Baltimore, so New Balance is a big thing in Baltimore, and their lifestyle department has just the new shoes they have coming out, [they have] collaborations with Joe Fresh Foods and stuff like that, how they collab with certain lifestyles and influencers [I like alot].
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager | Photo by Josh Sobel property of Summit Models Management
The Knockturnal: As you enter the world of brand deals, what values or qualities are important to you when considering partnerships with different brands?
Lawrence Cager: My thing is originality. Sometimes, you’ll see a brand see something [that’s hot, and then they’ll just copy and try to put their own little two cents] on the same design. It really [kind of] gives me the ick when I see stuff like that. I love originality. When you have your [own] design and your innovative idea. That speaks to me. And you could tell by [looking at a piece] it is “one-of-one,” or this is just a specific brand look. That’s the best thing about putting together different pieces [clothing]. The biggest thing in streetwear now is finding certain pieces [clothing,] and while you made that piece that’s probably more of a conventional look, you made it to a streetwear look you can wear every day, I think more like the originality part.
The Knockturnal: How do you envision using your platform, now as both a successful football player and a model, to inspire and connect with your fans?
Lawrence Cager: I’m trying to be more showing. [Most] people [would associate] fashion, athletes, and models with basketball players. I’m trying to bridge the gap. You know, football players, we can do this too! I know we have a helmet on our faces 24/7, but we can do the same things [that a lot of] other sports players who don’t have a helmet on their faces. That’s mainly my big thing. Getting my creative side out, and I can inspire somebody else, as far as an [upcoming athlete,] to take a little piece of my creation or how I piece together something or how I went about playing football and being a Summit model too. I could help bridge the gap for somebody else coming up. You know what I’m saying? It’s more of an influence.
New York Giants Tight End Lawrence Cager | Photo by Josh Sobel property of Summit Models Management
