When most people hear the name Marley, their minds immediately go to reggae legend Bob Marley. But few realize that his son, Rohan Marley, once carved his own path—not in music, but on the gridiron. Before he became a businessman and entrepreneur, Rohan was a hard-hitting linebacker at the University of Miami, sharing the field with future legends like Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, and even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson before going on to play professionally.

So how did the son of a world-famous musician who preached peace end up playing for one of the most recognizable programs in the physical world of college football—and how good was he really?

From Kingston to Miami: A New Beginning

Rohan Marley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1972. For obvious reasons, his childhood dramatically changed when his father passed away in 1981. Just three years after Bob Marley’s passing, Rohan was expelled from school at age 12, so his mother, Janet, decided a fresh start was needed. She took Rohan out of Jamaica in search of a new beginning, settling near Miami in South Florida.

Like his father, Rohan grew up with a burning love for soccer. However, in Florida, he couldn’t escape the buzz surrounding the Miami Dolphins and the popularity of American football. So, he decided to give the sport a try—not just for fun, but with a practical goal in mind.

At the time, many would assume the Marley family lived a lavish lifestyle surrounded by wealth, but after Bob passed away, his estate was frozen because he left no will. Royalties would eventually flow to the Marley children, but during Rohan’s teen years, money wasn’t readily available. If he wanted to go to college as his mother hoped, Rohan needed to find a way to earn a scholarship, and due its popularity, football seemed like the best option.

Natural Talent with a Size Disadvantage

It didn’t take long for Rohan to make an impression on the gridiron. While starring as a linebacker at Palmetto High School, he became known for his toughness and bone-rattling hits. However, standing at just 5’8” and weighing under 200 pounds, he was severely undersized to play linebacker at the next level, and he didn’t necessarily have the speed to convert into a defensive back. What he did have was grit, a nose for the ball, and a reckless abandon with no sense of fear. College recruiters largely overlooked him due to his size, but his hard-hitting style of play made waves in the local area.

While no big name programs came calling, the local powerhouse Miami Hurricanes saw something in Rohan, and they gave him his only scholarship offer. He gladly accepted, joining the program in 1991 as he set out to leave his mark on the game.

Here Come the Hurricanes

Rohan redshirted his first year in 1991, giving him time to bulk up while the team marched to a national championship win—earning him a ring before even stepping on the field.

At first, he even shaved his head so his dreadlocks wouldn’t interfere with his helmet, but  he eventually embraced his roots, grew out his hair, and leaned into the Rastafari values his father had championed. Rohan hung closely to his roots, and his lifelong love for the game of soccer never dissipated. On campus, he continued to play soccer in intramural leagues at night, much to the dismay of his football coaches.

By 1992, Rohan had earned playing time as a relentless, aggressive linebacker off the bench. He helped Miami claim a conference title and reach another national championship, though the team fell short to Alabama.

The following year in 1993, Rohan became a certified starter at outside linebacker—and that same season, a freshman named Ray Lewis burst onto the scene. The two quickly formed a bond, both on and off the field, and there is one story that perfectly illustrates their connection. 

Rohan and Lewis shared a room at an away game early in the season, and the future hall of fame linebacker wanted to go hang out with teammates. Instead, Marley stopped him, put headphones on his ears, and played one of his father’s songs. “I’ll get the mind, you get the body,” Rohan told him, even encouraging Lewis to read scripture for focus. That moment sparked a pregame ritual between the two. Marley even joined Lewis in his infamous 52-card workout, where players flipped cards to determine how many push-ups to do based on whatever number was shown.

On the field, Rohan was just as influential despite sharing the spotlight with the likes of Lewis, Warren Sapp, and even backup defensive lineman Dwayne Johnson. Even though he shared the field with these other stars, Rohan led the 1993 Hurricanes defense in tackles with 95, which earned him All-Conference honors as Miami clinched a spot in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 1994, his redshirt junior year, the Hurricanes boasted the top-rated defense in the nation, and they reclaimed the Big East conference title, which landed them back in the national championship game to square off against a tough Nebraska team. Unfortunately, similar to his redshirt freshman campaign, Rohan and the Hurricanes came up short in a narrow 24-17 loss.

Though he had one year of eligibility left, Rohan decided his time in college football was done as he wanted to set out on new adventures. He finished his Miami career with 193 tackles, a national championship ring, 3 conference title rings, and a number of post-season accolades, proudly leaving his mark on one of the greatest defensive eras in program history.

Professional Football and Beyond

Despite his production in Miami, his size was a big deterrent in the eyes of pro scouts, so the NFL never came calling. Instead, Rohan briefly joined his brothers on tour while they followed their father’s musical legacy. But soon, he received a surprise call from the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, bringing him back to the game of football.

He packed his bags for Canada, stayed at a Best Western, and even rode his bike to and from practices while playing with the Rough Riders. This doesn’t sound ideal, especially for a professional athlete, but according to Rohan, he loved every second of it. In just seven games, he recorded 34 tackles, an interception, and three fumble recoveries. He was progressing quickly, and his CFL career seemed to be on the upswing, but just as quickly as it began, Rohan’s professional career ended—by his own choice in order to focus on his personal life.

At the time, Rohan was dating singer Lauryn Hill, and instead of competing with her spotlight, he stayed behind the scenes. Music remained a personal passion, but he chose a different path– the business world.

Rohan founded Marley Coffee, later expanding into the cannabis and hospitality industries. Years later, Marley Coffee would even serve as a sponsor of the Ottawa Redblacks, a Canadian Soccer team based in the same city he once played professional football. This perfectly combined his passion for soccer and business while still paying homage to his football roots.

Carrying the Legacy

Today, Rohan is a successful entrepreneur, proud father, and lifelong supporter of the Hurricanes football team. His son, Nico Marley, followed in his footsteps, becoming a star linebacker at Tulane and even one-upping his father by achieving a brief stint in the NFL.

Rohan has never forgotten his roots, and he remains active with the Hurricanes football today, perfectly summing up his eternal bond with the program by saying:

“The one thing about players is we don’t come and go. We come, and that’s it. We’re always going to be Canes.”

Rohan Marley could have lived entirely in the shadow of his legendary father. Instead, he carved his own path on the gridiron, in business, and in life. He brought the spirit of his father’s music into the locker room, influenced future legends, and found success by proving that heart and determination can make up for size.

From Kingston to Coral Gables to Canada, Rohan Marley blazed a trail that is uniquely his own.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, I dive even deeper into stories like this (and many more) on my YouTube channel — you can find it here: Get Set Sports. Hope to see you there!