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Riley Green didn’t leave school with the sole intent of trying to launch a music career.
As our loyal readers know, Green is one of the most famous country singers on the planet, and it’s been that way for a couple years.
Before Green was a monster country music sensation, he was actually a college athlete. He played quarterback at Jacksonville State University.
However, he eventually left school, but he didn’t do it to become one of the most successful entertainers in America.
Riley Green performs during CMA Fest 2025 at the main stage at Nissan Stadium on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. ((Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images))
Riley Green explains how quitting college accidentally opened door for music career.
Billboard released an interview with the “Jesus Saves” singer on Tuesday, and he broke down how it all went. Was it planned or did it just kind of happen?
The answer is clearly the latter.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Riley Green performs during CBS’s “Marshals” premiere at the Autry Museum of the American West on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for CBS) (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for CBS)
“You make it sound really, like, poetic like I’m, like, busted out of school and went and made a music career. It was nothing like that. I was playing football, and my dad framed houses and he had back surgery, and him and his brother worked together. So, I took a semester off to go help do construction work, and I started making a little music on the weekends and I just didn’t go back,” Green responded when asked if he quit school to “bet on” himself.
He continued, “So, I assumed I was going to frame houses for the rest of my life and play a little music on the side. And, grow a long great ponytail, which I still might do that.”
You can watch his comments in the video below starting at around 15:00, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Whether Green’s intent was to bet on himself by giving up his educational pursuits, it worked out either way.
He’s become an unstoppable force in the industry, and just released his latest album “That’s Just Me” last week. You can read about it here.
RILEY GREEN DROPS ACOUSTIC ‘MY WAY’ VIDEO AS FANS AWAIT ‘THAT’S JUST ME’ ALBUM RELEASE
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It’s always fascinating how life works out. Decisions that don’t seem big in the moment can set off a chain of events that turn into life-changing moments.
Riley Green previewed his upcoming song “Lookout Mountain.” ((Photo by Michael Le Brecht/The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images))
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Riley Green thought he’d be working construction. He turned into a country music star. Life sure can come at you quickly. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.