Austin Corbett, known for his disciplined lifestyle and gentle demeanor, is also an avid fan of heavy metal music. The Carolina Panthers center will attend a Metallica concert at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night, showcasing a side of him that contrasts with his usual calm persona.
Corbett’s taste in music plays a role in his approach to football. “Sometimes you have to set the tone on a football field,” Corbett remarked. Despite being fond of country artists like George Strait and Cody Johnson, he noted they don’t suit the intensity required during games.
His teammates humorously refer to the “duality of man” when describing Corbett’s musical preferences and his behavior on the field. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu recounted, “I heard him say dagnabbit one day. I don’t even know what that means.” Tight end Tommy Tremble added that hearing such language from Corbett indicates something needs correction in the huddle.
Corbett strives not to curse, even during heated moments on the field. He finds amusement in maintaining composure and catching opponents off guard with his mild mannered approach. However, when it comes to game time, Corbett channels aggression from his music into his performance.
Teammate Brady Christensen praised Corbett’s playing style: “He plays really aggressively on the field…and finishes that block as good as anyone.” Christensen recalled an intense matchup between Corbett and former Rams teammate Aaron Donald as evidence of Corbett’s competitive nature.
In the weight room, when it’s Corbett’s turn to control the music, heavy metal tracks like Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All” are played at high volume to motivate him.
Corbett attributes his love for rock music to his upbringing. His parents were heavy metal enthusiasts who took him to concerts by bands like Korn and Rush at a young age. One memorable experience was attending a Metallica concert in San Francisco with his mother during Super Bowl week in 2015.
Now anticipating another Metallica concert alongside opening act Pantera, Corbett looks forward to sharing the event with his father who flew in from Reno for the occasion.
