From the pitch to behind the camera: How PK manages pressure of football and social media

Pressure is an unavoidable part of football but for Pique Humble, also known as PK Humble, learning how to manage it has been an influential part of his journey from grassroots to the professional game – and even how it helps behind the camera!

The 29-year-old started his journey in football at Enfield Town all while balancing a rising career in social media along the way.

With this unique career path came unique challenges but with every move, PK Humble developed the characteristics needed to deal with the mental and physical pressures of his newfound game, as well as the scrutiny that runs alongside it.

“I am not someone who shows pressure, I take everything in my stride,” PK Humble said while speaking to LADbible via Under Armour’s HeatGear campaign.

“I am grateful to be in the position I am in, I am appreciative of it, but I have nurses, doctors and mentors around me.

“That’s real pressure. What I do is nothing compared to them.”

PK Humble is known for showcasing his passion for football through social media. With over 270,000 followers on Instagram flooding in for a combination of football, comedy and a look into his lifestyle, as well as the pressure of performing on the pitch, scrutiny inevitably follows.

When asked about how he deals with that, he added: “If I am being real, scrutiny doesn’t affect me, because you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t.

“I don’t think it’s healthy to absorb negative things, or get lost in the sauce when everything is going well.

“That’s how you can fall into the trap of thinking you’re untouchable. I live my life for myself, my family and friends. They keep me level-headed.”

His journey highlights a player - and person - who has learned not only to cope with expectations but how to grow stronger because of it. He turns pressure into performance, both on and off the pitch.

“I am someone who thrives under pressure so I adapted well,” he said.

“I had to, coming from where I come from, you had to be adaptable and ready for any environment you were thrown in.”

Words by Patrick Rowe.