In our Last Call Q&A series, we get to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favorite celebrities – from the last time they got starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, actor “BMF” Chester “Tre” Rogers answers our call.
NFL player Chester “Tre” Rogers knows he’s doing the impossible with his recurring role on Starz’s “BMF.” Last year, the 29-year-old Cleveland Browns wide receiver landed a role in the hit crime drama, which returned for its second season on Jan. 6, as Sterling “Sterl” Black — chief of AP (a local Detroit gang) and an ally of BMF. Rogers made his debut on the show in episode 203, “Devil’s Night,” and he says viewers will see a lot more of his character in season two as his relationship with Meech (Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. .) “becomes complex throughout the show.”
“This last year has been the most difficult for me – difficult, I would say.”
While Rogers is quite active on the football pitch, he’s not new to acting. He began his entertainment career at age 10, starring in early 2000s film projects like “Constellation” with Gabrielle Union and Billy Dee Williams, “Dirty” with Cuba Gooding Jr., and “Madea’s Family Reunion” by Tyler Perry. Part of Rogers’ 18-year break from the industry was due to his athletic career, but he tells POPSUGAR that his “surreal ‘BMF’ opportunity” presented itself during his offseason following the 2022 playoffs.
“Honestly, it’s a crazy story,” he says. While out for a random meal with his family, Rogers got in touch with a show producer to whom he sent his resume. He thought nothing of the encounter afterwards – until he received an email two weeks later. “I’m in Houston with my son—it’s about 9 p.m., 10 p.m.—checking my email and having a casting director audition,” he recalled. “I dropped everything then and got back on the first flight the next day to Atlanta. I had 48 hours to audition. Mind you, it’s been 18 years since I’ve ever done anything [because] I played football. So I had 48 hours to prepare and I succeeded.”
Booking a role on “BMF” reopened the door to Rogers’ acting career, but he knew balancing it with football would be a difficult task. “This last year has been the hardest for me – difficult, I would say,” he shares. “Mentally and physically because I finished the playoffs [in 2022 and] two minutes later I’m on set for six months working 12-14 hour days filming this incredible TV show. And I also have to find a way to maintain my diet, train and get out on the pitch.”
Rogers reveals he refused to sign with 10 different NFL teams just so he could finish filming ‘BMF’. Even still, he almost immediately resumed training for the following season just weeks after the show ended. “This has never been done before,” he adds. “I don’t really know how I do it. It’s by the grace of God and just a lot of sacrifice. I can’t give 100% to everything in my life, which is probably the hardest thing, but [I’m] I do. It’s done. The season has just ended. ‘BMF’ is out.”
Despite the grueling drudgery of football and acting, Rogers is confident in his ability to see both ways. “I like challenges,” he notes. “I like when people doubt me – it just gives me extra motivation. I also knew it would give people motivation like, listen, whatever you want to do in life, do it. Don’t let anyone put you in a box. I applaud people like LeBron James, who has his whole campaign, ‘More than an athlete.’ just being the first to do it, showing people that you can do whatever you want. That’s what keeps me going.”
While it’s still too early to tell if Rogers’ “BMF” character will return for the show’s now-confirmed third season, he says he had a blast bonding with his season two castmates. , including Rayan Lawrence (who plays K-9, aka “the new bad guy”) and Russell Hornsby (patriarch Charles of Flenory), who he says is “one of my favorite actors.” “We had a lot of conversations. I remember the first time he really engaged with me; he gave me four different books that you need as an actor and sat there and spoke to me for about 45 minutes, and he must have done it on his break between shoots,” Rogers shares. “But he really kissed me. He saw something in me the first night he saw me filming in Detroit, and he was like, ‘Listen man, if this is something you really want do, we need to talk.”
Rogers also shared how fun it was to share a set with vets like Snoop Dogg (who reprises his role as Pastor Swift) and Mo’Nique (who joins Goldie as the owner of the Atlanta strip club ), the latter of whom he said he had a scene with later in the season. “Being able to see her in action…it’s a legend,” says Rogers. “I crossed paths with Snoop Dogg, [too] . . . just to see these legends in real life, it sure is crazy.”
Beyond “BMF,” Rogers says he wants to continue his acting career with roles in projects that tell “real stories.” “I love being able to illustrate real characters,” he shares. “Stock [period] pieces, I love the wardrobe and I love bringing those stories to life, so I’m interested in doing more. I would like to do an action, [too]. I’ve had a lot of action this season – and I’ve done all my stunts, by the way.”
The actor remains tight-lipped on ‘BMF’ Season 2 spoilers but confirms that the surprises that have popped up so far will certainly continue. “It’s going to be a lot of twists, a lot of drama, a lot of action,” he teases. “We get much deeper into these characters as you see them evolve. So, yeah, just buckle up your seat belts and get ready for the ride.”
Read ahead for the rest of Rogers’ Last Call interview.
How was your last day of shooting season 2 of “BMF”?
It was bittersweet. Six months coming to an end. It was like the last day of school. I was sad.
Who’s the last “BMF” co-star you hung out with?
All. Well, not all but last night, Myles [Truitt] had a private screening so we were there. Me, Da’Vinchi, Yusef [Thomas], Little Zane. We were all together at the Gathering Spot.
When was the last time you were starstruck?
i have been around [stars] since I was 9 and 10, so it’s hard to do that. I haven’t been stunned in a while, but I’ll give it to Snoop [Dogg].
What’s the last album you listened to?
I’ve been on Lil’ Baby. He’s one of my favorite rappers, so his [last] album for sure, “It’s Only Me”.
What’s the last TV show you watched?
“The Best Man: The Final Chapters.” I still have to finish it, but I’m halfway there.
What’s the last photo on your camera roll?
A flyer for my birthday.
What’s the last thing you did for fun?
I watched the fight [between Gervonta Davis and Hector Luis Garcia]. I am a huge boxing fan. It was the last funny thing I did.
What is the last trip you took?
[I went to] Los Angeles.
What is the last gift you received?
It was Christmas. I think I have shoes.
What is the last piece of advice you received that changed your life?
We were basically preparing for the BMF premiere process, and everything was all over the place, but the advice was just to stay ready, so you don’t have to prepare. Always be prepared, so that we can prevent certain things. This is certainly advice I respect.
Image source: Kayla Madonna
