» FORMER RAIDER THRIVING ON SCREEN

Nnamdi Asomugha made a name for himself in the Bay Area. First with Cal’s football team, then with the Raiders, and finally with a cameo with the 49ers.

He was a shutdown corner who didn’t get a lot of traffic in his prime, so reluctant were opposing quarterbacks to throw his way. Respected, cerebral, professional and above all that, talented. A first-round pick by the Raiders in 2003, Asomugha was twice voted All-Pro in his eight seasons in Oakland. His departure in 2011 was a huge blow to the Raiders, who had shown signs of waking up from a sevenyear dirt nap. Without Asomugha? They backslid.

He went to the Eagles for two years. By the time he got to the 49ers, his body was telling him sad stories.

Good news. Asomugha is making a name for himself again, this time as a film actor and executive producer, according to The Undefeated, which spotlights two of Asomugha’s productions that are “making waves in Hollywood.”

“Harriet” as in “Tubman” the abolitionist, and “The Banker” — “one of Apple TV+’s first films,” according to The Undefeated’s Kelley L. Carter.

Asomugha is not an accidental tourist in his new vocation. But he definitely took the road less traveled to get where he is now.

Per Carter: “My whole mindset was football, and that’s what I want to do and that’s where I am, and I’m going to do that till I’m 100 years old. And then when it’s time to leave the game, trying to jump into a profession where there are seasoned veterans that are experienced at it. And I said, ‘Well, let me just create my own way and see if that works out.’”

“Nnamdi’s the best — he is just one of the sharpest, smartest dudes I’ve ever met. He’s got great taste... That’s why he’s so sought after as a producer,” Leslie Odom Jr., who co-stars in “Harriet,” told Carter. “He’ll tell you the truth and he’ll give you notes.”

He is scheduled to go in front of the camera for the film “Sylvie” in 2020 (he’ll also produce). No problem changing positions?

“They’re both selfless positions,” he said. “They might seem like they are positions of power and control. But for me, I come from it from a different point of view and how can I help the team.”

Same as it ever was.