He once dreamed of becoming a Dallas Cowboy. That dream isn't big enough anymore.
    Antoine Cabarrus moved to Huntington from New Jersey in 1996. The then sixth-grader didn't know much about football at the time but the sport quickly became a constantly burning passion. His teenage years were spent watching some of the greatest football players in Marshall University (MU) history. Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich, and likely soon-to-be NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss all performed under the national microscope while Cabarrus watched from the stands. He also heard plenty of stories about one of Marshall's favorite sons, Troy Brown, a three-time Super Bowl winner and member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame
    “It took me several years of playing to learn the fundamentals,” Cabarrus recalled, adding he became faster and leaner as his young body developed. During his sophomore season at Huntington High School, he earned a starting defensive end spot and also played running back for the junior varsity. The next two seasons, Cabarrus served as the Highlanders' strong safety on defense and running back on offense. By then, the 195-pounder could run the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and began receiving recruiting calls from schools across the nation.
    Due to his love for the Thundering Herd, Cabarrus elected to stay home and play for the Bobby Pruett-led hometown team. After graduation in the spring of 2007, he played his final season of eligibility then spent one season in the Arena Football League with the Huntington Heroes. Cabarrus earned degrees in business management and marketing while at MU, later obtaining his master's degree in leadership studies after joining the West Virginia National Guard and attending officer school. Today, he is a captain with nine years of military service.
    Despite all he has accomplished in his 32 years on this planet, Cabarrus' passion today has nothing to do with wearing a metallic gray football helmet with a royal blue star on each side. Today, all he is interested in doing is leading others to Jesus Christ via the positive messages in his Christian rap music lyrics.
    Since 2013, Cabarrus has recorded five albums with assistance from Huntington producer Michael Rowsey. He has also recorded multiple videos, the last of which, an addiction-themed song titled “Fallen,” was recorded with a rising young talent named Melody Joy. “I want to get the word out about addiction,” Cabarrus said. “I know there are plenty of programs out there, but I believe God is the one that can take it away.”
    He believes his love for football was a stepping stone to the fire that burns inside him now. “I realize God put me on Marshall's football team to minister to my teammates,” he noted, looking back at when his true passion emerged. “I forged relationships with Ahmad Bradshaw (a two-time Super Bowl champion) and with quarterbacks Jimmy Skinner and Derek Devine. I never preached, just lived by example.” Cabarrus added he regularly attends church at Christ Temple in Huntington, but explained, “I like to minister on the street. The majority of Jesus' ministry wasn't in a building. It was from town to town.”
Eventually, Cabarrus would love to serve full-time in ministry, although it could be argued that he already serves through his music, biyearly mission trips to Taiwan, and a heart wholly focused on helping others. His message is accepted by those of all ages, colors, and beliefs. “When I perform at church, there are a lot of older people there who come up to me later and say, 'I've never listened to rap, but I can understand your words.' They listen to my CDs. Some who don't go to church listen to my music. That's inspiring to me. Some think Christian music is boring. I like to prove them wrong.”
    Cabarrus and his friend Javares “Deano” Dean, who has recorded two videos of his own, perform frequently in the local area, often to assist local agencies. “Every time I go somewhere, Deano is usually with me,” Cabarrus said. Last year, the duo performed at a benefit hosted by a faith-based Ironton treatment facility, Land of Goshen, helping the host agency raise funds to purchase a transport van. “It makes me feel humble that God would use somebody like me to do something like that,” Cabarrus said. “I'm glad he uses me. I pray he continues to.”
    His recent album was nominated for six awards, earning him an invitation to the Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards ceremony in Greenville, South Carolina, in June. Also, he and Deano were interviewed last year by a Sony talent scout and may be featured on Uplift Network (channel #379 on Direct TV) in a future documentary.
    “I thought football was my passion at first,” Cabarrus said, “but it was a temporary thing that took me to where I am now. Hope is the message I want to give. That's my passion.”
    Antoine Cabarrus married his wife Johnna last August and adopted her two teenage daughters. His videos can be viewed by typing his name into the YouTube search bar.