If there's any saving grace for Aaron Maybin after his dismissal from the Cincinnati Bengals on this week's episode of Hard Knocks, it's that after being featured on the show his artwork is in high demand.
Maybin, a 25-year-old linebacker who was the 11th overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, was released by the Bengals on Aug. 18. Last November he was released by the New York Jets.
HBO's Hard Knocks chronicled Maybin at home working on several paintings. As it turns out, he is an accomplished painter who has sold his individual pieces for up to $20,000. In a 2011 profile of Maybin, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote that Maybin turns to painting to help cope with the tragedies of his life. Maybin's mother died when he was 6, and his son was born stillborn in 2010.
This week's episode of Hard Knocks essentially served as free publicity for Maybin. He told TMZ that after the show his phone was ringing off the hook with calls from people looking to buy a painting.
"Regardless of whatever happens football-wise," He said. "I'm probably gonna make more money in my art career."
Interested in purchasing a Maybin? Here's his website. See below for a sampling of his work.
