When you're the son of a global icon like Snoop Dogg, the world basically expects you to follow a script. For years, everyone thought they knew exactly what Cordell Broadus was going to do. He was the star wide receiver, the four-star recruit, the kid with the UCLA jersey and the highlight reels that looked like a path straight to the NFL. Then, he just stopped.
He quit.
It wasn't because of an injury or a scandal. He just didn't want to play football anymore. Honestly, it was one of the balliest moves a celebrity kid has ever made, mostly because he admitted he only played the game to make his dad happy. That kind of honesty is rare in a world where everyone is trying to "curate" their brand. Cordell isn't just Snoop Dogg's son anymore; he’s a tech investor, a creative director, and a guy who realized that living someone else's dream is a fast track to being miserable.
The Football Years: Playing for the Camera
Most people first met Cordell through the reality show Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood. We saw a kid under immense pressure to perform on the field. Snoop wasn't just a casual observer; he was the coach of the Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL). He was invested. By the time Cordell was at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, he was one of the top prospects in the country.
He had offers from everywhere. LSU, Notre Dame, Baylor—you name it. When he finally committed to UCLA in 2015, it was huge news. But the cracks were already showing. He left the team before the season even started, came back later, and then left for good.
In a candid Instagram post that actually felt real, he admitted that he used football as a way to get his father's love and attention. "I played football for my father because I thought that was the only way he would love me and be apart of my life," he wrote. That's heavy. Imagine having your entire identity wrapped up in a sport you don't even like, just to bridge a gap with a legendary parent. Once he realized Snoop loved him regardless of his stats, the helmet came off for the last time.
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Beyond the Gridiron: Fashion and Web3
So, what does a kid do when he drops a potential NFL career? If you're Cordell, you pivot to the stuff you actually care about.
He jumped into film school at UCLA. He started modeling for brands like MCM and Dolce & Gabbana. But where he's really making moves is in the digital space. Cordell, who often goes by the name Champ Medici in the digital world, became a massive figure in the NFT and Web3 space long before the average person knew what a "bored ape" was.
He didn't just buy a few jpegs. He started consulting for tech companies and helping his dad navigate the metaverse. Remember when Snoop Dogg bought Death Row Records and talked about making it an NFT label? Cordell was the engine behind a lot of those conversations. He saw the shift in how creators own their work and jumped on it.
He’s also worked as a creative director for the luxury brand MCM. He isn't just a "face" for hire. He’s involved in the actual design and strategy. It’s a complete 180 from the dirt and grass of the football field, and frankly, he looks a lot more comfortable in a front-row fashion seat than he ever did in a huddle.
The Other Broadus Siblings
While Cordell is often the most talked-about Snoop Dogg son, he isn't the only one carving out a niche. The Broadus family tree is actually pretty diverse in terms of talent.
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- Corde Broadus: The eldest. He’s stayed more low-key than Cordell, focusing on music and his own spiritual journey. He’s often seen as the more "Bohemian" member of the family.
- Julian Corrie Broadus: Snoop's son from a previous relationship. He’s worked in real estate and has explored the music industry, showing that the hustle gene is definitely hereditary.
- Cori Broadus: Snoop’s daughter and the "princess" of the family. She’s been very open about her struggles with Lupus and mental health, becoming an advocate and an entrepreneur with her own beauty line, Choc Factory.
The Business of Being a "Legacy Act"
There is a specific kind of pressure that comes with being Snoop's kid. You aren't just a person; you're part of a multi-million dollar brand. Snoop has transitioned from a gangsta rapper to America’s favorite uncle who hangs out with Martha Stewart. That's a lot of shadow to live in.
Cordell’s success comes from the fact that he stopped trying to be "Snoop 2.0." He didn't try to rap. He didn't try to be a tough guy. He leaned into the "geeky" side of business—tech, gaming, and digital architecture.
He's been a key player in the Snooperspace, a virtual world within The Sandbox. While skeptics call the metaverse a fad, the Broadus family has actually made real money there. They sold a virtual plot of land next to Snoop’s digital mansion for nearly $450,000. That wasn't a fluke; it was a calculated move by a team that includes Cordell’s vision for digital real estate.
Lessons in Authenticity
What can we actually learn from Cordell Broadus?
First, the "sunk cost fallacy" is real. He spent over a decade training for a sport he didn't love. Most people would have finished the four years at UCLA just because they felt they had to. Cordell walked away because he valued his mental health over a scholarship and public expectations.
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Second, nepotism only gets you in the door. It doesn't keep you there. Sure, being Snoop Dogg's son got him meetings with top fashion houses and tech CEOs. But if he didn't know his stuff about blockchain or garment construction, those deals would have soured years ago. He’s stayed relevant because he’s actually doing the work.
He also proves that you can redefine your relationship with your parents. He and Snoop seem closer now than they were during the football years. Why? Because the pressure is gone. They're partners now, not just coach and player.
Navigating Your Own Path: Actionable Takeaways
If you’re looking at Cordell’s journey and wondering how to apply that "pivot" mentality to your own life—even if your dad isn't a rap legend—here is how you handle a major life transition:
- Audit Your Motivations: Ask yourself if you're pursuing a goal because you want it, or because you want to impress someone else. If it's for someone else, the burnout is inevitable.
- Identify Transferable Skills: Cordell took the discipline he learned in elite athletics and applied it to business. The "grind" is the same; only the arena changed.
- Own the Pivot: When Cordell quit football, he didn't hide. He spoke his truth. If you’re changing careers or paths, be transparent about why. It builds more credibility than making excuses.
- Diversify Your Identity: Don't be just one thing. Cordell is an artist, an athlete (still), a father, and a businessman. Having multiple pillars makes you more resilient when one area of life gets tough.
The story of the Snoop Dogg son who didn't want to play in the NFL isn't a story of "quitting." It's a story of an elite-level pivot. It serves as a reminder that your starting point—no matter how famous or pressured it is—doesn't have to be your finish line. Cordell Broadus chose to be a businessman instead of a highlight reel, and looking at his trajectory in 2026, he clearly made the right call.