In recent weeks, the ascent of 28-year-old quarterback Joshua Dobbs with the Minnesota Vikings has not only captivated football fans but has also given rise to a fresh wave of enthusiasm in the scientific community, particularly at NASA. While not an official scientific phenomenon, Dobbs, a quarterback and aerospace engineer boasting a 2-1 record with the Vikings, has sparked newfound interest in science.
Following NASA’s post about Dobbs in early November, engagement on their platforms surged, with a remarkable 216% increase in followers and over 3 million views—far exceeding the 2022 average of 176 engagements per post. Google Trends reveals a spike in searches like “Is Josh Dobbs an astronaut” and “Josh Dobbs NASA” since his standout performance on November 5th.
The space industry has taken notice of Dobbs’ impact. Scott Colloredo, director of engineering at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, expressed the sentiment that Dobbs has made engineering appealing, emphasizing the desire to leverage this momentum.
While Dobbs is not yet an astronaut, he has publicly expressed his ambition to travel to space. Drawing parallels with former NFL player turned NASA scientist Leland Melvin, Dobbs continues the trend of athletes pursuing careers in science. Melvin, who transitioned to NASA after a brief NFL career, flew two missions on the Space Shuttle Atlantis and highlighted the similarities between the two competitive worlds.
Melvin emphasized the commonalities in mental preparation, data analysis, and physical training required in both football and space exploration. Dobbs’ success in quickly adapting to the Vikings’ playbook is attributed to his academic background; he graduated with honors in aerospace engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2017.
Colloredo highlighted the similarities in training, contingency planning, and system check-downs between Dobbs’ roles as an NFL player and an aerospace engineer. Despite the demanding nature of astronaut training, including spacewalks and pressurized suit activities, Dobbs’ experiences in the NFL have prepared him for the physical challenges.
Dobbs’ journey through multiple NFL teams, coupled with his two externships at NASA, has contributed to his learning and adaptability. While his success on the field has been a highlight of the NFL season, Dobbs has the potential to make an impact in STEM education, inspiring young students through his involvement in programs and partnerships with organizations like the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Farzad Sadjadi, director of STEM education at the Science Museum of Minnesota, emphasized the importance of role models like Dobbs in broadening students’ expectations and breaking stereotypes in STEM fields. The museum is actively planning educational programs centered around Dobbs, with the aim of fostering greater engagement and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among students and educators.
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