"I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA"

                              Game Day Ready Edition

                            " The Real Life of a College Football Mom"


I Got it From My Mama

One thing we know for sure is that when an athlete gets on camera he is going to say "Hi Mom"! The media is for certain to capture that. Mom is always recognized for her strength, love encouragement, and the multitude of sacrifices that she continually gives to her athlete day in and day out through it all. As she should right? But in doing some research during this College Football Mom journey I realized rarely do the media give the mother any recognition if she too has had any athletic achievement nor do they think to do their research much like they do on their fathers if they were former athletes. The only way usually they find out is from the athlete and even then they still tend to see it is irrelevant most times. I experienced it first hand in our household. It isn't unlikely for me to get left out of articles, or media interviews for my contribution  to CJ's genetic make-up too.  I use to get a little bit "salty" to say the least.  lol.. Proof below.

Of course I know it is a big deal when an athlete's dad played professional football for 8 years with the Tennessee Titans and his step- dad played for 12 years professionally, and won a Super Bowl with the Ravens right? It always makes for a great story and conversation piece for sure. It is interesting to have a dad that also played at the collegiate level, rare that he played professionally, and I'm sure almost unheard of to have 2 dads that both played so long in the NFL. That's another story people let's move on. (I know I must be coo coo for coco puffs, literally. That's the nickname we call my youngest! HA)  But really the most interesting piece of the Harris/Sanders Huddle should be, but I could just a little biased here, is that his Mom all of 5'3" played point guard at the University of Michigan and was the starter and captain Senior Year. I also was the recipient of the Henry & Nancy Newlin Award given to only 3  Scholar- Athletes.  So I mean CJ even being at Notre Dame he must be a little smart and I think he got that part for sure from his mama. Especially since his dad attended The Ohio State University! ( The hatred is real) I always use to say I was the closest he got to the Rose Bowl. I know that's not nice (but true.. he he he)

 

The missing size they talk about came from ME, I'll even take that at this point. Well no... Not really.   But yet we made it size and all son. lol.. Uhh.. huh I know you are saying, "Wow, now that's the real story!" Exactly, Right! I mean seriously, they don't understand how hard it is to be a female athlete these days! Staying on top of your game, while still trying to be pretty, keep your nails, toes and hair done in between games,  balancing being an athlete and your academics, and let's not even think about keeping a boyfriend all while trying to figure out how to still enjoy college! Phew.. it's all so much people so much. Most guys aren't use to the demands of having a female athlete as a girlfriend. So there goes that relationship. So, yep for us the struggle in the life of a female athlete is real. 

No but honestly, this is all in fun, but a mama likes just a little props sometimes right? It actually is super dope for the athletes when they can brag on mom a little too. Many college athletes who have athletic moms whether she was elite in high school, or a college athlete and scholar will often say their tenacity,  their hard work, their drive and sometimes even their agility and speed comes from their mothers. They also love the fact their mothers can relate to the competitive edge and mentality needed in the game of football but at the same time she is still loving, nurturing and their main support system that they need. So since this is a blog about being a College Football Mom I wanted to make sure I acknowledged and recognized some of the great moms for their athletic talent and contributions they too have made in the lives of their college football sons. 

Here are a few well- known Professional Athletes that have moms that were College Athletes.

 Odell Beckham Jr. wide receiver with the Giants father Odell Beckham Sr.  played football at LSU but he praises his Mom Heather Van Norman for his blazing speed and acrobatic like catches. She was a record breaking sprinter at The University of Minnesota and LSU. In 1991, she was a member of the team that set the American record in the 4x200 relay, and the next year she competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in New Orleans. She helped lead the Lady Tigers to five National Championships.

Christian McCaffrey running back and return specialist for the Carolina Panthers has a long history of athletic genes he can credit for his athletic prowess. His dad Ed played professionally, his moms father Dave was named Duke's most outstanding athlete of the 20th Century, and won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome in the 100. He also had uncles that played collegiate football, and an aunt that played tennis in college. His genetic make-up is on "Super Power". He was interviewed and asked who he thought he got his toughness and athleticism from the most and he said his mama, Lisa McCaffrey who was a soccer player at Stanford. He calls her "The most talented athlete" in the family. He also knows when he goes home to visit she is the one that cooks. We knew Christian was a smart kid! After all he did attend Stanford.

 Ezekiel Elliott former Buckeye now a Rookie running back for the Dallas Cowboys is known to have a good mix in his "Kool-aid" too. His father Stacy played linebacker  at The University of Missouri and his mother Dawn Elliott participated in the pentathlon on the track and field team. That alone screams athletic and heart! Having to not just perfect 1 or 2 events but 5! You go Dawn! You are the real MVP. Eziekiel's father told me that the joke in his family is that Zeke got his speed from his mother but he still claims it is really from him. Hmm... Linebacker.. Not so sure about that one Stacy

Our very own CFM that were  Elite High School or College Athletes.

Kimburly Burks - Is the mother of Quarterback Chandler Burks. Chandler was the very first athlete to sign when Kennesaw State University when they started their football team. He is ripping it UP this year! He is on the Walter Payton Award Watch List, and has been named Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. If you ask Chandler he would be quick to say he got his fast feet, quick responses and smarts from his mama. Kim Burks went to state in track in the 400 relay and 100 meters in high school. She also played basketball going to All Stars every year and winning numerous awards.  Academically she was the president of the FBLA- Future Business Leaders of America. To say she was a true model when it came to the "Making of an elite Quarterback". He is fast, smart, elusive, a true leader and it's easy to see he is also a one of a kind handsome redhead.
                
















Sabrina Crawford- Is the  mother of corner back Shaun Crawford of Notre Dame. After being injured two years in a row with different injuries Shaun is deemed "The Comeback Kid". He has made several game changing stops, and seems to always figure out ways to gracefully maneuver himself in the right position to make something exciting happen. Many of the guys in the NFL are known for taking dance to be lighter on their feet. More so now it's the emergence of yoga which Shaun has taken up lately for gaining more flexibility and elusiveness which seems to be paying off for him this year. He often takes yoga class with his mom which he says is always a great workout together and he is still able to see some of her flexibility and acrobatic moves she show cased once in high school and in college. Sabrina was apart of the Hi-Lighters at Shaw high school, and was a K-Rette for Mighty Marching Kentucky State Thorobred Band in Frankfort, Kentucky for 3 years. The K-Rettes are the dancing highlights of the band and they still exist today. When you see Shaun Crawford on the field and he is poetry in motion you will now know he gets his grace and poise from his mama. 

                                                        

Karen Newberg- She is the mother of  Thomas Newberg the long snapper for Tennessee State University. This family is unique in so many ways. His dad is an actor and played the referee in the movie "The Blind Side" and currently starring in the movie "Same kind of Different As Me" in theaters now. Thomas was used this year in a trick play and scored his first collegiate touchdown. Long Snappers never get to score right! Wrong this one did. But wait the unthinkable, and LONG SHOTS run in the Newberg family starting with mama Karen. Wait for it... She was a 4 year starter at Georgia Tech at point guard standing at only 5'6".  Captain her Junior and Senior seasons and was the state of Georgia's rep for women's athletics both years. See what I mean now you know he got IT from his mama. Oh, but here is where it gets even better. This mama not only was fire on the court she was a beauty off the court!  Like literally! She was voted as a Georgia Tech Beauty! Say what! I bet they didn't cover that after his big score in the game! But I am bringing it to you! The real scoop from real college football moms!  When it comes to true versatility this family knows how to get it done! 

   

I hope you enjoyed reading another College Football Moms Game Day Ready Edition and if you too are an athletic mama please feel free to comment below and let us know how your athlete gets it from his mama!

It's Thanksgiving my peeps be thankful, enjoy time with your family and reflect on the things you have overcome. HE didn't have to do it, but HE did! For that alone we are grateful.
Please share this Edition with a friend! Until next time my friends!

Peace and Love,
Stacie McCall Harris
Founder CFM 2016
#3'smom #NotreDame