A bizarre story is unfolding just 45 miles east of Philadelphia. Jay Harris, a senior wide receiver at Downingtown East High School in Exton, Pa. has decided to choose a rap career instead of taking an athletic scholarship offer from Michigan State University.
The fishy part, however, is there is speculation that Harris’ decision may have been motivated by the university stripping him of the free ride. The Philadelphia Inquirer was the first the break the news about Harris being stripped of his scholarship yesterday (May 14), this according to an inside source. Harris, who raps under the name Jay DatBull, posted a number of rap videos via YouTube which showed the 18-year-old using profanity and appearing to smoke kush. His first single, “DatBull 4 Life,” was viewed over 50,000 times this past weekend.
Although Michigan State officials have kept largely mum about what happened with the scholarship, a spokesperson says it “was a mutual decision.” Harris claims that rapping was part of his plans all along.
“I’ve always had this in the back of my head, but never had the courage to tell my parents that this is what I want to do,” Harris explained. He also added that his decision to quit sports happened before the sudden success of his video and is already connected with folks in the industry. M. Stacks, a producer who has worked previously with Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, is said to be collaborating with the upstart MC.
The 5-foot-11, 162-pounder was ranked as the second-best wide receiver in the state of Pennsylvania by ESPN, and had suitors such as Temple, Old Dominion and Penn State.
Perhaps Harris should talk to fellow Exton native and current Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan about the incredible opportunity he appears to have squandered for rap fame.
Check out Jay DatBull’s “DatBull 4 Life” below and let us know if the kid made the right decision in the comments.
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Photo: Downingtown East
