Former New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett has premiered an animated TV show on Disney Junior inspired by his daughter. The series, titled Hey A.J.!, debuted on January 8 and features imaginative adventures and musical elements. It draws from Bennett's efforts to create stories for children of color.
Martellus Bennett, a retired NFL player known for his time with the New York Giants and a Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots in 2017, has shifted his focus to children's entertainment. After retiring in 2018, Bennett founded the Imagination Agency to produce media for young audiences. His latest project, the animated series Hey A.J.!, premiered on Disney Junior on January 8, expanding on a book series he created for his family.
The show centers on A.J., a spirited young girl modeled after Bennett's 11-year-old daughter, Austin Jett Rose. She embarks on fantastical journeys and learns life lessons with her parents—voiced by Bennett and singer Jhene Aiko—her best friend (voiced by Juliet Donenfeld), and a wisecracking toy rabbit (voiced by David Mitchell). Episodes incorporate musical numbers across diverse genres, highlighting Black musical traditions, with guest appearances by artists like Meghan Trainor and Bootsy Collins.
Bennett's motivation stems from a personal gap in representation. "When my daughter was born, I realized we ran out of children's books for girls of color that focused on fun," he said. "I started writing my own so she could have characters like her."
A marathon of episodes aired on Disney Junior, with streaming available on Disney+ and additional installments planned for the year. The hand-drawn animation celebrates creativity and imagination, aligning with Bennett's Houston roots and his career across teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Patriots.