From Gridiron to Grill | Tucson News

From gridiron to grill, former Arizona Wildcats running back Ismail Mahdi, just 23, is now a co-owner of a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Tucson—turning his Texas roots and relentless work ethic into a new kind of hustle. He met his business partner Manny Gomez on a podcast, and together they’re bringing that classic barbecue vibe to the desert city. Mahdi’s football intensity translates directly to his restaurant management, where he’s handling everything from staff to catering—often showing up at the joint all day, every day. Still connected to the game, he’s also coaching high school running backs while mastering brisket. With a grand opening set for August 22, this young entrepreneur proves that the drive he honed on the field can absolutely fuel success off it. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b1a6bc43396fb6e6