Marshawn Lynch, the former NFL running back, captured the internet’s attention with a viral video of him guest-conducting the Houston Symphony, which has amassed over 1 million combined views on TikTok within a day. The videos feature Lynch with a baton, skillfully leading the orchestra through a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and delivering an energetic rendition of the NFL’s Thursday Night Football theme song.
The Houston Symphony shared the clips on their Instagram, highlighting the unexpected but delightful intersection of sports and the performing arts. Gary Ginstling, Executive Director and CEO of the Houston Symphony, expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response, stating, “Who would have thought? This was an opportunity to bring together an iconic figure in the world of sports and showcase the Houston Symphony and our city.”
This collaboration stemmed from the Amazon Prime series “N Yo City,” where Lynch shares the stage with Steven Reineke, the Houston Symphony’s Principal POPS Conductor, right before the Houston Texans’ game against the Buffalo Bills on November 20. Ginstling revealed that the producers of the series reached out to Reineke about a month prior to the filming, revealing that Lynch had long wanted to conduct a symphony.
The two-and-a-half hours of filming on October 28 resulted in an entertaining 23-minute video, which is now available on YouTube, along with a sneak peek that aired during the Thursday night game. In the video, Lynch humorously refers to a viola as a “small violin” and a cello as a “big ass violin,” eliciting laughter from the orchestra. He also expressed awe over the acoustics of Jones Hall, underscoring the exceptional qualities of the Houston Symphony.
Ginstling noted that Lynch’s engagement and genuine fascination during the experience highlighted the orchestra’s unique charm. Adding to the evening’s joy, the Texans also secured a win that night, making it a memorable occasion for the city. This event reaffirms that creative collaborations can successfully bridge diverse audiences, bringing vitality and excitement to the arts.