Former Pro Football Players Turned Bakery Owners Pay It Forward

On February 6, watch The Cupcake Guys on a new special on Food Network and discovery+.

Photo by: Keri Cronan

Keri Cronan

Linebacker Brian “Rak” Orakpo and safety Michael “Griff” Griffin played college football for the University of Texas and went pro with the Tennessee Titans, but now these retired players have an unexpected passion: cupcakes.

With Griff as head baker, Rak as lead cupcake decorator and their lifelong friend “Little Bryan” Hynson handling the bakery business, they are known as “The Cupcake Guys” and own a booming shop in Austin, Texas. In Cupcake Guys Training Camp, airing Saturday, February 6th at 1pm on Food Network and streaming the same day on discovery+, they are ready to help aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their baking dreams.

In the one-hour special, three talented bakers get 48 hours, a baking truck and, with coaching from Rak, Griff and Little Bryan, are tested on their baking and selling skills to determine who has what it takes to go pro. The last baker standing is awarded a $10,000 seed money investment in their business.

Fans can follow along with the baking challenges during training camp and weigh in on their favorites on social using #CupcakeGuys.

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